Balancing Act

Matthew 6:25

So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing?

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 90:12
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Ephesians 5:15-17
Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Ephesians 5:29
No one hates his own body but lovingly cares for it, just as Christ cares for his body, which is the church. (New Living Translation)

After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church. (NIV)

Worrying about what I am going to eat v. planning my meals.

Spending time with my idol (food) v. devoting time to a healthy lifestyle.

Probably one of the hardest things that I have overcome, by the power of Christ, is my lack of organization and planning skills and the effects that lack had on my health.


In our readings for Day 11, Dr. Davis writes about managing the clock and structuring our priorities. I am the first to admit that organizational skills do not come naturally to me.  However, during the course of the last 5 or 6 years, by the grace of God, I have made progress in structuring my priorities and organizing my time by praying using many of the above-listed scriptures.

One area I have to tread carefully over is spending time thinking about menus, recipes and meal plans.  I have found that if I spend a little time during the week, usually for me the best time is Saturday morning, getting together a plan for my week, my eating is much more in line with my intentions of a healthy lifestyle.  I look at my calendar and try to decide when we will be eating at home, what our schedule is for the week and loosely come up with a plan for the week.  Then, I take care of the lionshare of the shopping during the weekend.

I find that if I spend a little time planning, I do not spend too much time during the week thinking about food, what I want to eat, what food I am craving, and giving in to emotional needs by eating because I do not have a plan.  I always remember the Weight Watchers' saying, "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail." 

Some things I do to take the guesswork out of what I am going to eat is always have healthy options on hand:

Boil eggs in bulk that I combine with fruit for breakfast on the go
Always have fruit and cleaned and chopped veggies on hand for munching.
Always have hummus and peanut butter for dipping.
Always have salad fixings - I take my lunch to work everyday and it is usually a salad with some type of protein on top (leftover lentils or beans, tuna from a pouch, baked chicken).
Buying salmon steaks and chicken breasts in bulk from Sam's - each piece is individually wrapped so they can go from freezer to plate with little fuss.
Sweet potatoes - can be cooked ahead for a quick, on the go side.
Nuts and dried fruit - not to be eaten in large quantities but will tied me over between meals.

Remember, the goal is to be intentional, to make wise food decisions, and for me, not to obsess over food.  My plan removes the guesswork and the need to focus and fantasize about food all the time.

What healthy eating tips and tricks do you use?  I would love new ideas.