#19 Fast Metabolism Food Rx by Haylie Pomroy, 2016

I complied the above list from two sources: this book and WW’s list of zero point foods. I got tired of looking at healthy food lists that included foods I’ve never heard of. So I did my own.

The author of this book surely dislikes sugar, flour, and dairy. You will not find any foods that contain these things in any of her food lists. I would die without dairy – I know that, and I’m not ready to go that far with any diet or lifestyle. Perhaps that’s why I love WW–they love Greek Yogurt – and so do I. I battle daily resisting sugary, doughy items. The verdict is still out on whether or not it is addictive, but if you ask me, YES it is — it is my Achilles heel. The moment I eat something packed with sugar and butter and flour, it makes me remember just how much I love these things.

A couple of take-a-ways and recommendations from this book that I found interesting:

Tomatoes have more positive impact on human health than supplements.

Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces every day.

Start eating within 30 minutes of waking each day and eat every 3-4 hours. This will be fueling your metabolism.

I think I shall make it my goal in the coming week to create a tasty tomato soup.

If you look closely, you may notice the little icons next to many of the foods in my chart. In addition to adding zero point foods that WW approves of eating, there is also an icon for foods that give you more energy; foods that repair problems with digestion; and, foods that help control blood sugar levels. The author had several more food charts dealing with all sorts of ailments that we humans go through, but these were specific to my own needs.

I’ve read pieces of many diet books in my day. And they all have these things in common: Eat fruits, vegetables, lean meats and healthy fats. Stay away from flour, sugar, white potatoes and fried stuff. I imagine heaven being filled with flour, sugar and fried stuff. I look forward to heaven. For other reasons too. But I must say I’m looking forward to the banquets and feasting on delicacies not yet imagined.

But for now, in this here final third of my life on planet earth, I think this list should be my grocery list. I have it as a photo on all my devices. Which makes me thankful for devices. And finally, while we’re on the subject, here’s a shout out to my WW community. We heal in community. My WW community makes me think that I can do this never ending battle with food because they keep me accountable, while making the journey joyful. For me, it really does take a village.

#20 Flourish by Martin Seligman, 2011

This was an audible read that I started last year and recently finished. While I love listening to something inspirational while dozing off to sleep, or throwing in my studio, or walking on the treadmill, there is just not a whole lot of retention going on. But I am happy for the fleeting thoughts that come from a good book, and this one was excellent.

Here’s what I recall: The author is brilliant and positive, and shares his keys to a happy life. These keys include great relationships, thinking positively and doing things with purpose. Practicing gratitude is huge for him as well. I’m on board with all of that. And while I think he is in favor of a spiritual life – he doesn’t specifically advocate for Christianity or any other religion. I do. Wholeheartedly. I think you can put all these flourish elements into practice, but without a mighty God, empowering you to overcome sin and temptation, filling you with his Holy Spirit, its only a band-aid. And then you die. So, perhaps you die a smidge happier than if you didn’t put positive practices in place. But you still die. I would much rather end my days, as well as live my days now, in light of knowing that I get to spend eternity with Jesus, and many of my favorite people on the planet.

For me, I truly flourish because of my relationship with the Creator. However. I also recognize that it is crucial to put those practices into our lives that this book suggests if you want to flourish. I am sure you could argue for each one in Scripture.

Here’s the deal. It’s not just what you believe, it’s what you do. It’s both/and. I think we can forget that. Orthodoxy is dead without orthopraxy [right practice]. Flourish is all about orthopraxy with no orthodoxy–which makes me wonder: Can some people–those who don’t believe in God–put into practice the skills expressed in Flourish, and live with real shalom? And, what of those very orthodox folks who don’t seem to work on their character? And, does every soul wrestle until it finds its rest in God? Ecclesiastes 3 says eternity is in every heart. Does that mean the same thing?

These questions rattle in my brain often–especially the one that seeks to balance right believing with right living. It’s ever present. I admit, I get annoyed when I see those who profess the right things, live loveless lives. Yes, that’s a judgement. Perhaps i should repent and keep it to myself. But there, I said it. Now you know what is rattling in my brain. It’s these big questions about life and how we live out our faith. I think we all should be asking these questions, and not just of others, but of ourselves. Then once we ask them, we need to be about the act of flourishing. It’s a life long practice, but worth the journey.