Week One of Fasting...

So it's been 1 week. After the first few days it got a lot easier to say "No" and to not drool at every picture and every plate of sweets that passed in front of my eyes. I do have to admit that I was surprised at the withdrawal that I experienced in those first few days. I didn't expect it to be so difficult but thankfully it definitely got easier. 

And with all this extra free time that I have since I started fasting Netflix and our PS3, I have managed to learn quite a few things.

I have learned that I feel a billion times better when the house is clean..or at least picked up. I could never put my finger on what made me so nervous and edgy in the house until this past week. All the dust bunnies and the dirt under the couch, the endless laundry and the dishes in the sink all equate to a very uncomfortable Sam. So needless to say I personally have been feeling so much more relaxed and at ease in our home. 

And during the peak of my withdrawals I hopped online and found a TON of information about refined sugar. Everything from its lack of nutrition to how it affects to body in many, many negative ways shocked me and kind of bumped me over that withdrawal. While sifting through all of this new information I stumbled upon a few really awesome blogs. 

• This blog called I Quit Sugar by Sarah Wilson chronicles her experiences as she quit sugar as an experiment and how it has helped her get her auto-immune disease called Hashimoto's under control. She also has a more personal blog that focuses more on her story here.
• Against All Grain is another blog that I stumbled upon. It isn't just about quitting sugar, as she also has stopped eating grains and dairy and has managed to make a huge impact on her own auto-immune disease. She brings healthy meals and recipes on her blog to those who want to try this lifestyle. 

Along with those two blogs I ran into this article from the New York Times called "Is Sugar Toxic?". I must warn you though that reading these may potentially send you on a journey exploring their links to studies, lectures and other articles concerning the troubles and harms of sugar. 

And it may hurt to read it...hurt a lot. 

It felt like a low blow as I was reading through these articles. Hearing how my sugar and sweet habits have been negatively affecting me. 

I wanted to throw my hands up in the air. I was somewhere between yelling Mercy and  giving up on sugar all together or getting defensive and unwilling to give up my habit, ready to dive into a little debbie sweet as soon as this fast was over. 

But now... I'm not so sure. I will definitely be doing more study and research on this idea. Yet from my own experience over this last week, I don't think I will have a problem changing my diet and what I eat. 

For example, I have felt better in the last week than I have most of my life. I have lost that afternoon slump, my head feels clear and focused, and I have a very even keel day with no highs or lows, just a sustainable energy. 

And get this...

I lost 2-3lbs just this week. I'm not starving myself, and I'm not working out for hours a day. I have simply stopped eating sweets and am eating when I'm hungry and stopping when I'm full. Yet I'm amazed at the wonderful things that have been happening since this fast. 

I can't wait to see and share what happens in these next few weeks. 

xoxo,

Samantha

Unplugged Connection

In this day and age almost everything we do is connected to technology and as wonderful as it can be, we sometimes forget how important it is to unplug and connect to others without it. Between facebook, twitter, emails, and texting who needs to see friends and connect in person? 

 And this is why I have decided to unplug for most of my day. 

So as I was perusing the blogs that I frequent and I found this post from a blog I follow called Unveiled Wife and was encouraged to use this "unplugged time" as if I was fasting. Now on her post they started the fast almost two years ago, but that doesn't mean that we can't fast whenever we feel led. 

And boy do I feel led. 

I want to use this time to nurture this budding marriage between my Hubs and I, and to deepen my prayer life with the Lord. 

Also after some prayer I have decided to personally fast from a few things that I usually eat or do on a daily basis as another personal reminder to spend more time with the Lord. So I've decided to give up eating sweets, candies, and I am fasting (outside of the time Matt and I are unplugged) from netflix and our video games for the next 40 days.

When I think of plugging in during those certain hours, I will instead be reminded to pray for or to connect with my daughter and those around me. 

My Hubs and I came to the realization two days ago that we were spending a very large portion of our very small time together on either netflix or playing video games on the PS3. 

Now don't get me wrong, those things aren't bad and I definitely don't have a problem with playing video games, but when it interferes with marriage or family relationships..then it's time to put that sucker down. 

And this is what we are doing. Matthew and I have decided that we are going to take at least two weeks and spend the few hours we get together unplugged from those things that are hindering our marriage. We just started our very first puzzle last night, and I have a feeling that our house will soon be decorated with all of this extra free time! 

I know my house cleaning skills are already benefitting!


So what about you friends? Take some time and really pray and consider if there is something that you need to "unplug" from? Whether it's to fast and seek the Lord or to nurture a marriage or relationship. I encourage you to do so and to comment below if you're willing so we can be in prayer for and encourage each other on the beautiful journey. 

xoxo,

Samantha