Detox The Holidays Away
By Rachel Zeskind
Most of us (myself included) can have a tendency to gallop off the reservation nutritionally this time of year. It's a season for giving, sharing time with those we love and of course...eating! Food and the holidays become interwoven as eating, drinking and being merry is a huge part of our culture. I think it is an important part of our culture as well. There was a time in my life when I stuck to my organic healthy meal plan 100 percent of the time, holiday or no holiday. I was so strict and so disciplined with what, when and how I ate that it negatively impacted my ability to enjoy friends, family and life's celebrations. Now, after a few seasons of yo-yo wellness (swinging from strict and regimented to lax and sloth-like) I believe more than ever that the key is ALL THINGS IN BALANCE! Being that strict and regimented was actually not healthy and certainly not balanced.
That being said, hopefully you, like me, decided to indulge in a few cookies, buttered breads and yummy meals (where you didn't ask or care if it was cooked with butter) and even some wine! I'm praying you enjoyed your holidays and those you love fully, in wellness and balance...meaning you didn't restrict yourself to much or over indulge or binge. Either way, 2014 is coming to an end and it is time to clean out the system and start the year a new!
So all the refined sugars, additional sodium (salt), carbohydrates, preservatives and fatty foods have left you a wee bit more toxic, dehydrated and flat out bloated then before the holidays hit. Most people make a huge mistake, they feel crappy so they jump on the scale (usually when they have food and excess liquids in their system making them even heavier versus the more acute first morning weigh in) in order to validate their negative feelings about their post holiday bodies. Ok, STOP! Fist off, that serves no one and nothing positive. We all know by how we feel that we need to clean out and reset...what we do not need to do is weigh in and make ourselves feel bad!
The first step is to stay away from the scale for 3-5 whole days! Give yourself a chance to flush the junk, release water retention and let your body readjust to a more healthy intake of nutrients before trying to determine how much weight you need to lose.
Here are some weight stats that may even help you avoid the scale (and the self abusive thoughts) completely...
If you decided to splurge straight through from thanksgiving through the new year you most likely have gained 5-10 pounds in water retention and somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-15 pounds. If this is you, ok...next year you may decide to make a stronger, more loving choice, as for now...MOVE FORWARD TO THE SOLUTION!
If you approached the holidays with a bit more balance and indulged in a few holiday meals, deserts and cocktails while returning to healthy eating in between you may not have gained any weight at all, you may simply be retaining 3-5 pounds of additional water weight from that added sodium and carbs. In which cases, good for you, hit 3 days of cleansing and get back to your regularly healthy balanced nutrition and fitness plan.
If you were more like the average person, you fell somewhere in the middle. The average weight gain I tend to see in people I have worked with and coached has been about 3-7 pounds of weight gain and about 1-5 pounds of water weight gain from water retention. Again, there is NO NEED TO ABUSE YOURSELF OR PUNISH YOURSELF! Life fluctuates a bit and so does our waist line, so we need to go with the flow. Move towards and grow in your mastery of healthy balance. YOUR VALUE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR BODY. In fact, my experience competing on a national level in fitness is that my body can be the outward best version of itself while my inside (mental and spiritual condition) is at its worst version! That combination is absolutely not the best version of myself! We must find that healthy balance from the outside in and the inside out. We need to have a healthy mental, emotional and spiritual condition as well as a physical condition in order to be the best us we can each be! Please remember that!!!!
So if you feel like a balloon, follow the cleanse below for 3-5 days and then get yourself committed to a healthy BALANCED fitness, nutrition and wellness plan that serves you creating or developing the best version of yourself....from the inside out and the outside in!
3-5 Day Cleanse
Eat more green veggies then you normally do in addition to a well balanced CLEAN diet! AVOID REFINED SUGAR, DAIRY, GLUTEN, PROCESSED FOODS & ALCOHOL.
During the detox write in your journal. Keep track of how you are feeling. Notice your mood, energy, bowel movements, sleep, etc.
Things you will need:
1. Psyllium Husk powder or capsules
2. Bentonite Clay
(Take the Psyllium Husk and Bentonite clay at the end of the day with water as directed on the labels).
3. Organic Lemons (4 lemons for every 1 gallon of water)
4. Dandelion Root Extract
5. Milk Thistle
(Mix lemon juice in water, take dandelion root extract and milk thistle 3X per day or mix directly into the jug of water that you will drink through out the day. READ THE LABELS ON ALL INGREDIENTS & NEVER EXCEED RECOMMENDED DOSAGES ON THEM!!!)
6. Candisol (Gets rid of all that nasty yeast that builds in your system...especially from refined sugars! Dosages vary so follow the directions on the label. You will dramatically increase the release of dead yeast if you follow up with a colonic.)
7. BPA Free Water bottle (I recommend getting a 1/2 gallon one).
Drink your body weight in ounces of water each day. Mix in a packet of electrolytes for every half gallon. Don’t buy the electrolyte packets with sugar in them!!! Drink Alkaline or Kangen water, it’s the best!
Sweat as much as you can during the cleanse. Cardio, walking in the sun wearing sweats, sauna, hot fitness classes. Always remember to stay hydrated!
Colonics are recommended in addition to the cleanse in order to completely clear you out and give you a fresh start! Your entire intestinal tract and colon will thank you...bye bye butt monkeys!
My recommendation is to use Psyllium Husk Capsules versus the powder. The powder will start to expand in the glass and have to be consumed very quickly, not everyone loves the texture of it so capsules are a huge win!
The lemon, dandelion & milk thistle 3x a day can be found in liquid drops, so we would take them like a shot OR mix with a days worth of water in one large container and drink through out the day. Also if you find bag/loose leaf of both the milk thistle and dandelion root extract, you can mix them in with hot water for a tea.
If Alkaline or Kangen water is not available, you can purchase PH balancing Alkaline tablets or drops at a place like Whole Foods.
For more extensive cleanse:
*Do a normal 3-5 days, then and do a colonic & stop the clay & husk capsules & dandelion & milk thistle for 7 days, then take clay & husk capsules for the 3 final days. Also do a second colonic two weeks after the first one. I know it doesn't sound fun but then again neither does colon cancer. We must take care of the plumbing that takes care of us!
Friday, November 29, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Answering The Call - Wellness Ministry!
ANSWERING THE CALL
A few take-aways from the conference...
1. As leaders we must walk out wellness, not perfectly but intentionally and transparently.
2. Continually LEARN, GROW & SHARE!
3. God is moving! REVIVAL is happening thru wellness ministry.
4. Answering the call is not easy, but worth it!
5. A reminder, it's not about us...it's all about Him!
One of the take-aways I felt God revealed to me thru the conference was in the form of a tugging on my heart to bring clarity and unity in this vision of 'wellness ministry'. What exactly is wellness, what is wellness ministry? So often 'wellness' gets batched into 'fitness' or worldly definitions. God tells us...
I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. -Romans 12:1 (AMP)
and...
For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, Because we are members (parts) of His body. -Ephesians 5:29, 30 (AMP)
In my book 'Wellness For Christians', I define Christ centered wellness as...
'Wellness is the (God focused) care and feeding of the mind, body, heart and soul. All things in balance, that is wellness. I would define 'self care' as the actions we take in order to tend to the needs and management of ourselves in order to breed health and wellness holistically (within the WHOLE person). Wellness is a means of worship, praise and obedience to Christ.'
(to purchase this book click link HERE)
To further clarify wellness ministry and the vision I feel called to share, the mission of a wellness ministry is to...
Resource members of the body of Christ to grow into the fullest maturity of wellness in Jesus, from the inside out and the outside in.
Church & community resources
RZ Wellness Ministries offers a number of resources, training programs and tools to resource churches and individuals in building wellness ministries and wellness ministry leaders.
Two of these are:
This connect group curriculum helps participants relearn the proper care and balance of their lives
(nutritional, health, overall wellness, fitnes and spiritual growth). Help your group:
1. Set new healthy, balanced and biblical habits
2. Create a wellness plan for all areas of their lives
3. Grow in their relationship with Christ
(individual Total Transformation work books can be purchased HERE)
To become certified as a Christian Wellness Coach and ministry leader...click HERE
Invite Rachel to speak at your church, conference, retreat or event...click HERE
For more information on RZ Wellness Ministries visit: www.rzwellnessministries.org
To experience our free resources; messages and moving meditations visit www.body-church.com
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
More Than A Rule, Wellness As A Path
Wellness is more than just a rule, it's a direction for the betterment of our lives. God commands us to...
'love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength'
-Deuteronomy 6:5
This is His perfect direction for our wellness. Balanced self care (the steps we take that lead to wellness) is a means of honoring that command. whenever I have followed a command it has always turned out to be a HUGE blessing! It wasn't God giving a rule with no reason. What I have discovered, is that His commands leads us
to His perfect will for our lives and to His plan!
'For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.'
-Jeremiah 29:11
Whenever God tells us actions to take or things to avoid it is like bread crumbs leading us to the best life He planned for us. Our job is to be faithful followers on this path, doing the work to pick up each crumb.
Step by step He leads us towards Him, towards health, maturity, wisdom, health, joy, love and peace. God asks us to participate by aligning our will with His in order to grow into His well-est version of ourselves...from the inside out and the outside in.
We need to love God with all of ourselves...mind, heart, body and soul. When we ignore one part or hold back from Him, we do not receive all that God planned for us. He is patient, loving, forgiving and merciful with each of us. He continues to throw the bread crumbs and lovingly encourage me to follow Him, even when I refuse to bend down and pick them up.
When I coach individuals in their wellness, each person has always known within their heart what they need to do. They simply need help, encouragement and support in getting back on the path and picking up the crumbs.
May you hunt for those crumbs each day and follow the path towards Gods wellness, one step at a time, enjoying the view as you travel!
'love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength'
-Deuteronomy 6:5
This is His perfect direction for our wellness. Balanced self care (the steps we take that lead to wellness) is a means of honoring that command. whenever I have followed a command it has always turned out to be a HUGE blessing! It wasn't God giving a rule with no reason. What I have discovered, is that His commands leads us
'For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.'
-Jeremiah 29:11
Whenever God tells us actions to take or things to avoid it is like bread crumbs leading us to the best life He planned for us. Our job is to be faithful followers on this path, doing the work to pick up each crumb.
Step by step He leads us towards Him, towards health, maturity, wisdom, health, joy, love and peace. God asks us to participate by aligning our will with His in order to grow into His well-est version of ourselves...from the inside out and the outside in.
We need to love God with all of ourselves...mind, heart, body and soul. When we ignore one part or hold back from Him, we do not receive all that God planned for us. He is patient, loving, forgiving and merciful with each of us. He continues to throw the bread crumbs and lovingly encourage me to follow Him, even when I refuse to bend down and pick them up.
When I coach individuals in their wellness, each person has always known within their heart what they need to do. They simply need help, encouragement and support in getting back on the path and picking up the crumbs.
May you hunt for those crumbs each day and follow the path towards Gods wellness, one step at a time, enjoying the view as you travel!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Rejoice! Worship in Motion
There is something very powerful about moving worship. When we are in church, worshipping God we tend to sway to the music...it moves us.
And David danced before the Lord with all his might...2 Samuel 6:14(AMP)
In the bible there are many responses recorded of peoples's physical response to encountering Jesus...
And instantly [the man] stood up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went away to his house, recognizing and praising and thanking God.
Luke 5:25(AMP)
A true and authentic relationship with Jesus changes us, moves us, calls us to move forward. To rejoice and praise!
Rejoicing is not only in our spiritual DNA, it's a command. Rejoice in the Lord....well, rejoicing is a verb...an action. One that manifests in our minds, in our hearts and through out our entire bodies!
And you shall love the Lord your God out of and with your whole heart and out of and with all your soul (your life) and out of and with all your mind (with your faculty of thought and your moral understanding) and out of and with all your strength. This is the first and principal commandment.
Mark 12:30(AMP)
Recently I had the joy of serving the Lord through speaking at The International Christian Wellness Conference. It was a conference filled with Wellness Ministry leaders who truly take hold of the command Jesus gives in Mark 12:30. Worship in movement, caring for our whole selves as an act of worship is a truly powerful thing friends!
Love the Lord with all of you...mind, body, heart and soul! Try worshipping Him in movement this week. BE with God as you dedicate your whole bodies to Him.
Worship in movement can look different from person to person. It can be standing and rocking side to side, praising while walking or jogging, exercising or stretching to worship music, dance, or any way the Spirit moves you! Just get with God and let Him move you!
Here is a playlist I created for worship in movement.
You Are God -
Child of God - Kendall Payne
Unshaken - Antioch
Beautiful For Me - Faith Crew
Blessed - Brett Dennen
Relentless - Hillsong United
Zion Interlude - Hillsong United
Oceans - Hillsong United
Show Me Your Glory - Jesus Culture
Hungry - Joy Williams
Rejoice Always - Cardillo Family
From The Depths of Woe - Andrew Osenga & Emily Deloach
Lead Kindly Light - The Lower Lights
Hallelujah - The Digital Age
Lord I Need You - Chris Tomlin
My Soul Longs For You - Jesus Culture
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Relax, He's Got It!
No matter what your calling is, God has selected you and He prepares you! Distracting thoughts and concerns may arise that lead us to question ourselves...am I called? Am I capable? Am I skilled enough, smart enough, wise enough? Can I do this? In these moments WHAT truth are you going to chose to listen to?
Since God formed it, molded it and then called it a fig tree who then are we to question whether a fig tree was designed to, or capable of bearing figs as fruit. We were created for a purpose, we are uniquely designed and equipped for our calling. We can rest & RELAX in the peace of Gods love KNOWING that He's got it! It is not the fig trees job to question how it was made or if it was designed correctly to serve its function.
Exodus 31:2-8AMP
God knows every single detail to give us the capability & He will give us every resource we need to accomplish what He has called for us to do. It is not by our own strength or wisdom...
Then he said to me, This [addition of the bowl to the candlestick, causing it to yield a ceaseless supply of oil from the olive trees] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts.
-Zechariah 4:6 (AMP)
It is not our job to equip ourselves for Gods call, it is our job to answer God's call daily by remaining close to Him in His presence. If we keep FOLLOWING Him then all other things will be added...
But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.
-Matthew 6:33-34 (AMP)
Knowing all of this I pray this prayer, the words of King David for you:
And now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. Therefore now let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You; for You, O Lord God, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let [his] house be blessed forever.
-2 Samuel 7:28-29 (AMP)
May your day be blessed with the joy and peace of the Lord!
Since God formed it, molded it and then called it a fig tree who then are we to question whether a fig tree was designed to, or capable of bearing figs as fruit. We were created for a purpose, we are uniquely designed and equipped for our calling. We can rest & RELAX in the peace of Gods love KNOWING that He's got it! It is not the fig trees job to question how it was made or if it was designed correctly to serve its function.
Exodus 31:2-8AMP
God knows every single detail to give us the capability & He will give us every resource we need to accomplish what He has called for us to do. It is not by our own strength or wisdom...
Then he said to me, This [addition of the bowl to the candlestick, causing it to yield a ceaseless supply of oil from the olive trees] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts.
It is not our job to equip ourselves for Gods call, it is our job to answer God's call daily by remaining close to Him in His presence. If we keep FOLLOWING Him then all other things will be added...
But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.
-Matthew 6:33-34 (AMP)
Knowing all of this I pray this prayer, the words of King David for you:
And now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. Therefore now let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You; for You, O Lord God, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let [his] house be blessed forever.
-2 Samuel 7:28-29 (AMP)
May your day be blessed with the joy and peace of the Lord!
For more information on my work, wellness ministry, or the Body Church ministry please visit
www.rachelzdavis.com
www.body-church.com
Connect further on social networking sites:
Twitter - @RachelZDavis or @body_church
Instagram - @RachelZDavis or @body_church
Facebook Pages- Rachel Z Davis or Body Church
Pintrest - Rachel Z Davis or Body Church
www.rachelzdavis.com
www.body-church.com
Connect further on social networking sites:
Twitter - @RachelZDavis or @body_church
Instagram - @RachelZDavis or @body_church
Facebook Pages- Rachel Z Davis or Body Church
Pintrest - Rachel Z Davis or Body Church
www.twitter.com/body_churchwww.rachelzdavis.comwww.body-church.com@rachelzdavis
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Know You Are Enough!
It is so easy to fall into the cycle of self judgement. There are so many images and cultural opinions being launched at us constantly. Subconsciously they can creep up and begin trying to form our thoughts and definition of self.
When we notice negative self judgement sneaking into our thought life it is time to
PUMP THE BRAKES and stop getting into agreement with these thoughts!
When we begin judging ourselves and making lists of all the things that are wrong with us we are simply being FAITHLESS and self reliant in these moments. We are saying WE know better than God. In those moments we are also acting or putting into action (by focusing and repeating such thoughts, then behaving as if they were fact) a choice to believe that our thoughts are higher than God's thoughts. We are criticizing the unique and vert PURPOSEFUL way God 'knit us together'.
In the bible it doesn't say God tripped, spilled a bunch of paint colors together that randomly landed on a hunk of clay and THAT became us. No! He older us, He knit us, He knows, planned and created EVERY detail. Let's all stop listening the the lies of the enemy and turn our focus back to worshipping God, and celebrating EVERY one of His creations...including ourselves!
Fight the lies with God's TRUTH!
Scriptures to KNOW who you are & HOW you are made!
Psalm 139
Philippians 1:6
Roman 11:29
Ephesians 4:16
Colossians 2:19
Psalm 22:10
Psalm 71:6
Psalm 66:10
Exodus 35:31
Genesis 2:7
For more information on my work, wellness ministry, or the Body Church ministry please visit
www.rachelzdavis.com
www.body-church.com
Connect further on social networking sites:
Twitter - @RachelZDavis or @body_church
Instagram - @RachelZDavis or @body_church
Facebook Pages- Rachel Z Davis or Body Church
Pintrest - Rachel Z Davis or Body Church
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Leaders Get Down & Dirty
So often as Christian leaders we allow culture to influence how we lead and also what it means to be a leader. Jesus is Lord and king of the universe. The most powerful, magnificent, huge, incredible ALL knowing being ever...so Jesus could have simply come down to earth, delivered some poignant sermons on how to do life correctly, how to get saved, how to follow God and then just said 'peace out' and buzzed up to heaven...
We need to use Jesus as our model and ultimate definition for leadership. The greatest leaders by Gods standards are those who follow closely on the heels of Jesus. Leaders SERVE. Leaders are the first one in, the last one out. Leaders are the ones to climb into the mess and not just call in a cleaning crew.
So when He had finished washing their feet and had put on His garments and had sat down again, He said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you? You call Me the Teacher (Master) and the Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is what I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you this as an example, so that you should do [in your turn] what I have done to you. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, A servant is not greater than his master, and no one who is sent is superior to the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed and happy and to be envied are you if you practice them [if you act accordingly and really do them].
But Jesus didn't do that. He walked around, a LOT, going from place to place, rolling up his sleeves, making sure to mix in with people, share life and get His hands dirty SERVING others. He chose to walk it out and show everyone not just through His words, but by His actions.
We need to use Jesus as our model and ultimate definition for leadership. The greatest leaders by Gods standards are those who follow closely on the heels of Jesus. Leaders SERVE. Leaders are the first one in, the last one out. Leaders are the ones to climb into the mess and not just call in a cleaning crew.
So when He had finished washing their feet and had put on His garments and had sat down again, He said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you? You call Me the Teacher (Master) and the Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is what I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you this as an example, so that you should do [in your turn] what I have done to you. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, A servant is not greater than his master, and no one who is sent is superior to the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed and happy and to be envied are you if you practice them [if you act accordingly and really do them].
-John 13:12-17
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)