Reshaping it All

Twitter Hashtag

2011-08-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

Join in the discussion on Twitter! Use the hashtag #reshapingitall

Click to view all posts in the "65 Days" challenge:

How Do I Share My Faith?

2011-07-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

Candace is at WomensMinistry.net where she talks about four things we need to do when "walking the walk" in our daily lives to share Christ with our world.

Reshaping it All - Day 65

2011-07-03T22:34:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 65

Today is our last day in the "65 Days to Reshaping it All" challenge. For all those involved we are proud of your efforts and hope that you continue to walk in good faith.

In conclusion we pray that you have been motivated to reshape areas of your life that need change. And embrace the person that you were created to be.

As a final thought, we'd like to leave you with a pinch of practicality found on page 235:

If you ware looking for ways to share you faith, one way you can start is by giving Him the glory for your health and well-being. If someone asks you, "How did you take off the weight?" Tell them you did it God's way. This great conversation starter can lead to a discussion on faith. It can also be a great way to help another woman get healthy too.

The best way to share our faith is by being a walking and living example. So roll up your sleeves, do the best you can, and live a life that compels other people to follow the Christ you love.

Many blessings to you,

Candace and Darlene

P.S. Candace is sharing a recipe at Peak313 Fitness, where they are also hosting a giveaway! Visit Peak313, and enter to win before 10 pm on July 4th:

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Congratulations to Chelsea from https://twitter.com/NancyDrewGal who is the winner of our final giveaway!!

We had exactly 100 comments, and Chelsea's comment #2 was randomly drawn through www.random.org

___________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 64

2011-07-02T21:13:00.001-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 64

A typical day in my kitchen...

Breakfast: Decaf, non-fat latte, egg scramble with grape tomatoes, spinach, feta cheese & pepper, and a half wheat english muffin with strawberry preserves.

Lunch: Steak Salad. This is a salad plate, not a dinner plate, so you can get a feel for the portion. The steak was left over from the night before. I added mixed greens, sliced grape tomatoes (they're sweeter than cherry tomatoes), sliced purple grapes, chopped heirloom tomatoes, cucumber and avocado. I added a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a drizzle of sweet balsamic and fresh ground pepper.

Here is my dinner: A palm-sized piece of baked salmon and a large side of green beans! (Note the lack of carbs at night) =D

Side Dish: green beans with really spicy sauce! A table spoon of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) fresh greens beans, high heat and found some spicy salsa that I poured in. AWESOME what you can do with the condiments in your fridge :)

~ Candace

__________________________________________

Last day to enter this week's giveaway!

This is it--we are closing in on 65 Days to Reshaping it All soon, and as promised in the beginning we have a special giveaway for the last hurrah!!!

Here's the Prize Package That We're Giving Away:

A copy of Reshaping it All, autographed by Candace
A choice of a t-shirt from Candace's clothing line (check them out here)
A pretty coil bound journal
A $50.00 Amazon gift certificate, provided by our sponsor, Art Bookbindery: Empowering Writers to Self Publish
A $25.00 gift certificate from The Rusted Chain
A t-shirt from Union 28

A special thank you goes out to these sponsors for this incredible giveaway package!

How Can you Enter?

You need to do two things to enter. One is make sure that you are linked up in our list of participants below, and two--leave us a comment before midnight on July 3rd, 2011.

That's it!

(Note: Make sure that you include a way of contacting you.)

But, since it's a big prize package, I'm also going to offer bonus points:

Comment daily to increase your entries
If you tweet, blog, or facebook this giveaway you can leave extra comments on those days telling us that you have done so.

Entries will close at midnight on July 3rd, 2011. We'll randomly choose one winner through www.random.org, and announce the winner on July 4th when we wrap up our "65 Day Challenge."

Have fun!!!

____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 63

2011-07-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 63

Welcome back to my kitchen! Today we have "Famous Chopped Salad" (recipe on page 117 in my book) and home-made chicken tenders. One salad is topped with a balsamic dressing, the other is plain.

The chicken tenders are SO easy to make! Please don't buy frozen chicken fingers for your kids. Get boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders (some brands cut them slender for this type of cooking).

In three separate dishes fill with 2 or 3 whisked eggs, flour, and bread crumb mixture (the mixture consists of fresh bread crumbs). Take a few slices of sandwich bread or any kind of wheat bread and chop it fine in a food processor, add salt and pepper to taste, shredded parmesain cheese and italian leaf parsley, chopped fine.

Dip your chicken sliver in the flour first to coat, then the egg wash, then the bread crumb mixture. Cook in a pan with about 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil on medium heat until done.

~ Candace

_____________________________________________

You can still enter this week's giveaway!

This is it--we are closing in on 65 Days to Reshaping it All soon, and as promised in the beginning we have a special giveaway for the last hurrah!!!

Here's the Prize Package That We're Giving Away:

A copy of Reshaping it All, autographed by Candace
A choice of a t-shirt from Candace's clothing line (check them out here)
A pretty coil bound journal
A $50.00 Amazon gift certificate, provided by our sponsor, Art Bookbindery: Empowering Writers to Self Publish
A $25.00 gift certificate from The Rusted Chain
A t-shirt from Union 28

A special thank you goes out to these sponsors for this
incredible giveaway package!

How Can you Enter?

You need to do two things to enter. One is make sure that you are linked up in our list of participants below, and two--leave us a comment before midnight on July 3rd, 2011. That's it!

(Note: Make sure that you include a way of contacting you.)

But, since it's a big prize package, I'm also going to offer bonus points:

Comment daily to increase your entries
If you tweet, blog, or facebook this giveaway you can leave extra comments on those days telling us that you have done so.

Entries will close at midnight on July 3rd, 2011. We'll randomly choose one winner through www.random.org, and announce the winner on July 4th when we wrap up our "65 Day Challenge."

Have fun!!!

____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 62

2011-06-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 62

Welcome back to our kitchen. I have a few photos for you, and a video directed and produced by Natasha Bure herself. Enjoy!

We hand made orecchiette pasta. It was fun to get the kids involved.
They had no idea how time consuming pasta making is!
They enjoyed eating it that much more.

Val in action, pouring a veal ragu sauce onto the pasta.

To accompany the pasta, I made an heirloom
tomato, onion and cucumber salad.

Just a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper.

__________________________________________

Enter this week's giveaway!

This is it--we are closing in on 65 Days to Reshaping it All soon, and as promised in the beginning we have a special giveaway for the last hurrah!!!

Here's the Prize Package That We're Giving Away:

A copy of Reshaping it All, autographed by Candace
A choice of a t-shirt from Candace's clothing line (check them out here)
A pretty coil bound journal
A $50.00 Amazon gift certificate, provided by our sponsor, Art Bookbindery: Empowering Writers to Self Publish
A $25.00 gift certificate from The Rusted Chain
A t-shirt from Union 28

A special thank you goes out to these sponsors for this
incredible giveaway package!

How Can you Enter?

You need to do two things to enter. One is make sure that you are linked up in our list of participants below, and two--leave us a comment before midnight on July 3rd, 2011. That's it!

(Note: Make sure that you include a way of contacting you.)

But, since it's a big prize package, I'm also going to offer bonus points:

Comment daily to increase your entries
If you tweet, blog, or facebook this giveaway you can leave extra comments on those days telling us that you have done so.

Entries will close at midnight on July 3rd, 2011. We'll randomly choose one winner through www.random.org, and announce the winner on July 4th when we wrap up our "65 Day Challenge."

Have fun!!!

____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 61

2011-06-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 61

A message from Candace...

Can you believe it’s been 61 days?! I’m so proud of you for hanging in there! I pray this is only the start of your new-found freedom in healthy living. I can’t wait to hear your success stories and hope you’ll post them here or on our Reshaping It All facebook page! Your stories and testimonies are encouragement and inspiration to others and that’s something we always need to hear no matter where we are in our journey.

Chapter 18 is about leaving a legacy. And while my most important legacy will be left with my children, I want to leave you all with this today…

Sometimes we just need to see the daily grind in someone else’s life. My girlfriend, who has struggled with her weight for many years came to me in desperation and in need of help.

“Can I stay with you for a few days, train with you and see what you and your family eat each day? I need to change my patterns and I need a major kick start.”

As I would with any friend in need, I answered, “Welcome to Bure Boot Camp.”

The funny thing was, she thought my life would look so different than hers on a daily basis. The Bures must have hours to devote to the gym and plenty of time to grocery shop and prepare each healthy meal, she thought. Wrong! Instead of a "Biggest Loser" lock down, she got a front row seat into our family’s hectic and chaotic schedule. The fact was, our schedules didn’t look very different at all. She has husband, kids, and a job. All the daily chores still needed to be done in my home between meetings and appointments and that included laundry, cleaning, making meals for my family and planning time for exercise. She got to experience firsthand that you have to CHOOSE to exercise and eat right in order to see the results in your life. And yes, it can be done. It might not be easy, but it is possible.

Over the next few days, I want to share with you some of meals I make for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I’ve tweeted some of these photos already (for all you Twitter followers)! Many of you ask for recipes, but the truth is, if I’m cooking, it’s because I’m following a simple recipe from a magazine or book, or watched it on the Food Network or Cooking Channel and remembered a version of it. Val cooks most of the meals in our home, not me. I’m a lousy chef and even ruined the asparagus recipe that’s in my own book! LOL. But I’ll tell you, my husband doesn’t care how mediocre my food is because he’s just happy when he gets a night off from cooking!

This is my daily grind I hope you enjoy another glimpse into the Bure kitchen.

Stay tuned over the next few days as I invite you back into my kitchen...

~ Candace

Here's what a typical grocery store trip will look like for me.

_________________________________________

Enter this week's giveaway!

This is it--we are closing in on 65 Days to Reshaping it All soon, and as promised in the beginning we have a special giveaway for the last hurrah!!!

Here's the Prize Package That We're Giving Away:

A copy of Reshaping it All, autographed by Candace
A choice of a t-shirt from Candace's clothing line (check them out here)
A pretty coil bound journal
A $50.00 Amazon gift certificate, provided by our sponsor, Art Bookbindery: Empowering Writers to Self Publish
A $25.00 gift certificate from The Rusted Chain
A t-shirt from Union 28

A special thank you goes out to these sponsors for this
incredible giveaway package!

How Can you Enter?

You need to do two things to enter. One is make sure that you are linked up in our list of participants below, and two--leave us a comment before midnight on July 3rd, 2011. That's it!

(Note: Make sure that you include a way of contacting you.)

But, since it's a big prize package, I'm also going to offer bonus points:

Comment daily to increase your entries
If you tweet, blog, or facebook this giveaway you can leave extra comments on those days telling us that you have done so.

Entries will close at midnight on July 3rd, 2011. We'll randomly choose one winner through www.random.org, and announce the winner on July 4th when we wrap up our "65 Day Challenge."

Have fun!!!

____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 60

2011-06-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 60

A pinch of practicality from chapter 17:

If treats or bonus points are a part of your healthy plan, try to save them for the end of the day when possible. It's always nice to have something to look forward to. However, if we consume our rewards too early in the day, we might give in to a feeling of deprivation. It's always nice to feel that balance when we have had a good day and can rest assured that enjoying a treat is a guilt-free snack.

Be cautious that you don't overindulge. Choose your portion beforehand and stick to your rule. Enjoy every bit, and remember that it's still going to be there tomorrow. (Reshaping it All, page 210)

And a wise quote from C.S. Lewis:

A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. ~ C.S. Lewis

_____________________________________________

Enter this week's giveaway!

This is it--we are closing in on 65 Days to Reshaping it All soon, and as promised in the beginning we have a special giveaway for the last hurrah!!!

Here's the Prize Package That We're Giving Away:

A copy of Reshaping it All, autographed by Candace
A choice of a t-shirt from Candace's clothing line (check them out here)
A pretty coil bound journal
A $50.00 Amazon gift certificate, provided by our sponsor, Art Bookbindery: Empowering Writers to Self Publish
A $25.00 gift certificate from The Rusted Chain
A t-shirt from Union 28

A special thank you goes out to these sponsors for this
incredible giveaway package!

How Can you Enter?

You need to do two things to enter. One is make sure that you are linked up in our list of participants below, and two--leave us a comment before midnight on July 3rd, 2011. That's it!

(Note: Make sure that you include a way of contacting you.)

But, since it's a big prize package, I'm also going to offer bonus points:

Comment daily to increase your entries
If you tweet, blog, or facebook this giveaway you can leave extra comments on those days telling us that you have done so.

Entries will close at midnight on July 3rd, 2011. We'll randomly choose one winner through www.random.org, and announce the winner on July 4th when we wrap up our 65 Day Challenge.

Have fun!!!

____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 59

2011-06-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 59

This is it--we are closing in on 65 Days to Reshaping it All soon, and as promised in the beginning we have a special giveaway for the last hurrah!!!

Here's the Prize Package That We're Giving Away:

A copy of Reshaping it All, autographed by Candace
A choice of a t-shirt from Candace's clothing line (check them out here)
A pretty coil bound journal
A $50.00 Amazon gift certificate, provided by our sponsor, Art Bookbindery: Empowering Writers to Self Publish
A $25.00 gift certificate from The Rusted Chain
A t-shirt from Union 28

A special thank you goes out to these sponsors for this
incredible giveaway package!

How Can you Enter?

You need to do two things to enter. One is make sure that you are linked up in our list of participants below, and two--leave us a comment between now and midnight on July 3rd, 2011. That's it!

(Note: Make sure that you include a way of contacting you.)

But, since it's a big prize package, I'm also going to offer bonus points:

Comment daily to increase your entries
If you tweet, blog, or facebook this giveaway you can leave extra comments on those days telling us that you have done so.

Entries will close at midnight on July 3rd, 2011. We'll randomly choose one winner through www.random.org, and announce the winner on July 4th when we wrap up our 65 Day Challenge.

Have fun!!!

__________________________________________

Congratulations to Jennifer of Haye's Mom x 3 Who is the winner of last weeks prize package!!

Comment #10 was chosen through random.org

____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 58

2011-06-26T21:46:00.001-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 58

Posted by Darlene Schacht, co-author of Reshaping it All

God delights in his people—you and I. He enjoys us so much that even the very hair on our head is numbered. I can't imagine the accounting department He must have to keep track of mine. I change my hair often, in fact I just got it cut this week again.

I wonder... would we take the time to number His hair if we could? Would we linger in His presence that long? Or is God merely a means of supplying our need? Let's dig and find out.

Why do we seek God? Too often the answer is out of a self-centered desire that brings us to our knees and back into His presence, where we know we should have been all along.

This diet isn’t working, Lord. Maybe if I pray harder, dig deeper, read more… I’ll capture the magic that enables your goodness to flow freely to me. Perhaps if I stay in your presence long enough, I’ll be thin...

Essentially, His delight is that we would be there, and that we would stay there in His presence every moment of our day. But God knows us well enough to also know it won’t be so. We’ll run to other pastures when things are feeling right, and when the reality of our frailty is upon us, we’ll return to His side. Praise God He is there when we seek Him.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.. ~ – James 1:2-4

That’s how God sees it: pressure leads to maturity.

We look at the equation differently: A + B = "C"

Oh how we long for a “C” in our life--the sum of all our desires! A friendlier scale, a small waistline, spirituality trailing from the hem of our robe…

And so we Google the scriptures in search of the variables...

Aha—we find them:

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ~ Matthew 6:33, NIV

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
– Psalm 37:4, NIV

Apply those to our life, and they’ll equal "C!" Sounds challenging and rewarding.

We seek Him out, and delight in Him with all of our might, and what do we get? We get the desire of our heart, of course. But unfortunately the desire of our heart today is a frothy mocha latte to chase down the pizza.

Do you see the circle we find ourselves swirling in? We have a misplaced figure in our equation, which is this: unless "C" equals “God” we’re sunk. Unless the sum of all that we do is for the one purpose of loving God with all of our heart mind and soul, our desires will never be His. But rather our desires will continue to lead us to destruction.

Living by our desires is what has put us here in the first place. Every single time you grab for extra food, it’s because you desire to do so. It’s because we long for food, and desire to spend time in its presence that we find ourselves struggling to lose weight.

Let’s consider God’s desires. He created the succulent goodness of food, but I’m certain that when it came to food Jesus exercised the same self-control that He displayed in all areas of His life. In fact we see that when He was faced with the very temptation of food His reply was faith-filled and sure:

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4, NIV

God allows us to be tempted daily with that very struggle, so that while our heart may be tested, we might see the reality of our frailness and cling to Him.

Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. ~ Deuteronomy 8:2-3, NIV

Does this mean that we give up on our journey, while we wait for His desire to prompt us? That'd be easy, but--No. Pursue the will of God and walk therein. First and foremost that means desiring Him, with a pure and honest heart. That’s when His plan will unfold.

Visit Darlene at her website, Time-Warp Wife, Empowering Wives to Joyfully Serve:

__________________________________________

Congratulations to Jennifer of Haye's Mom x 3 Who is the winner of last weeks prize package!!

Comment #10 was chosen through random.org

__________________________________________

Coming Tuesday... we announce our final prize package for Reshaping it All, and how you can enter to win!! You won't want to miss that one!!!

__________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 57

2011-06-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 57

Posted by Darlene Schacht, co-author of Reshaping it All

Human beings are creatures of habit:

American Idol goes on--the fridge door opens;

you drive to the school, and suddenly you feel the urge to drive thru a Starbucks;

you rent a movie, you reach for the chips...

What is it? Conditioning. Or in more human of terms "associative learning."

Back to the less human terms--remember Pavlov's Dog? We learn from those experiments that the subject not only responded to food, but that the dog also responded to anything associated with food, until eventually he thought, "If I ring this bell, I'll get food!"

Over time we associate one thought with another, until the two become one in our minds. It's one way our actions become habits.

Associative learning leads us into temptation time and time again, but it doesn't have to. There are two things that we can do to combat this cycle. One is to avoid it, and the second is to use it to our advantage.

Avoidance
If the coffee's calling every time you drive by a Starbucks, then try a new route. If the TV prompts you to sit at the trough, then grab a good book, or go for a walk. Make it impossible to respond to a stimuli, by removing it whenever possible.

Advantage
Association can work against us, but it can also work for us--if we are clever enough to find ways to use it, and since September is a month where many of us get back into the full swing of routine, this is a great time to start!

Condition yourself to respond to your surroundings with good habits. It's what my friend Val, refers to as piggybacking good habits with those we already have in place (a little trick she taught me a few years back).

Think of something you do on a regular basis, such as watching your favorite show--now attach a good habit to it. Can you run on a treadmill during that time? What about another habit, like walking the dog, could you grab a water bottle on the way out? Eating dinner? How about a devotional time at dessert? There are so many habits and traditions that we can teach ourselves and our families--so many good habits that are waiting to become routine!

Visit Darlene at her website, Time-Warp Wife: Empowering Wives to Joyfully Serve

__________________________________________

Last day to enter this week's giveaway:

A copy of Reshaping it All
A decorative plaque that reads: "A Journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."
A beautiful coil-bound journal

Want to win all three? Leave a comment on any post between now and Sunday, June 26, 2011. We'll choose one winner, and announce it here on Monday. * Note: Make sure that I have a way to contact you through the comment incase you win.

For extra entries, comment daily!!

_____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Candace On The Today Show

2011-05-28T23:17:00.000-07:00

Candace on the Today Show

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Candace Chats With Joy Behar

2011-05-28T23:07:00.000-07:00

Candace Chats with Joy Behar

Candace On Dr. Drew

2011-05-28T20:11:00.000-07:00

Candace on Dr. Drew

The Duck Story from Chapter One

2011-05-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

The Famous Duck Story from Chapter One!

Canadian Book Launch

2011-05-28T19:48:00.000-07:00

Canadian Book Launch

Click to watch Candace on Breakfast Television

Candace Cameron Bure and her husband Val stopped in Winnipeg, Canada for a Compassion Canada event, and while they were there, Candace promoted, Reshaping it All.

Over 400 fans showed up at Chapters in St. Vital mall, some waiting in line for over 2 hours to meet Candace and have their book signed.

View photos and video clips of the event here: Manitoba Christian Online

Due to the success of the book signing, her signing was featured on the news the next day.

Click to view the news clip

Candace on The Drew Marshall Show

2011-05-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

Candace on the Drew Marshall Show

Click image listen

Candace on CHVN Radio

2011-05-27T19:54:00.000-07:00

Candace on CHVN Radio

Click the image to listen to Candace on CHVN

Video

2011-05-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

View The Trailer

Candace Featured at ModernMom.Com

2011-05-26T22:29:00.000-07:00

Candace Featured at ModernMom.Com

Reshaping it All - Day 56

2011-04-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 56

A pinch of practicality from Reshaping it All, with an exercise in patience:

Patience comes with patience. In other words, the more you exercise it, the more you obtain. We definitely weren't born patient; in fact most of us came out kicking and screaming. But with guidance and--here's that word again--patience from our parents, we learn to wait, to tolerate, and to accept certain things--many things.

Mindfully tolerate the small things in life by biting your lip when need be, smiling under pressure, and forgiving other's imperfections. Try to exercise more of these moments throughout the day.

Place 100 pennies in a cup on the counter. Each time you exercise patience throughout the day, move one penny from the full cup to the empty cup. The goal is to eventually move all of the pennies from one cup to the other. This exercise represents the giving of ourselves to others, as Christ has freely given to us.

Reshaping it All, page 197-198

____________________________________________

Enter this week's giveaway:

A copy of Reshaping it All
A decorative plaque that reads: "A Journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."
A beautiful coil-bound journal

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 55

2011-04-24T21:57:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 55

Posted by Darlene Schacht, co-author of Reshaping it All

Twenty five years ago, had anyone told me that my weight would be a difficult thing to keep off I might have shot them the stink eye. Actually a few people did tell me, but I didn't believe a single word of it.

With age comes wisdom--and reality. But what I really like most about age is maturity. I tried to take weight off in my late twenties through to my mid thirties, but I didn't know then what I know now, and even if I had known how to keep off the weight, I didn't have the "stick-to-it" attitude that I have now.

I'm not that keen about jumping out of an airplane, or hanging from a bungie cord like I once was. I realize now that life is fragile, it's moving by quickly, and I want to embrace every moment I have. Praise God that He offers us the power to change, and that I've stepped out to embrace it.

Both my husband and my Lord love me as much today, as they did 23 years ago, and have loved me through every year and size in between--that I know. But what I also know is that I feel good, and enjoy life a little more when I'm at a comfortable, average-sized weight.

If diets, or should I say, "lifestyle changes," always failed me, no matter which ones I tried, why would I start yet again?

It took me over a decade to realize that they didn't fail me at all; the truth is that I had failed them.

I also failed high school English, but that didn't mean that I'd never write a book, own a self-publishing company, or be a New York Times Best-Selling (co)author, failing merely meant that it wasn't time to give up.

Rather than letting our past failures set the stage for our future, they should be the very thing that tells us we need to press on!

I have created you and cared for you since you were born. I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. ~ Isaiah 46:3b-4a, LB

Visit my website, Time-Warp Wife: Empowering Wives to Joyfully Serve:

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This week's giveaway:

A copy of Reshaping it All
A decorative plaque that reads: "A Journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."
A beautiful coil-bound journal

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 54

2011-04-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 54

For those following along in the book, we are on to chapter sixteen today titled, "It is Well With My Soul." In this chapter, Candace shares a beautiful testimony about a time in their lives when their faith was tested. I hope you get a chance to read it!

We'll talk more about that chapter tomorrow. But before we move on, I want to share a pinch of practicality from chapter fifteen that offers a novel idea for those of us looking for a way to motivate ourselves. Candace writes:

Stop beating yourself up over mistakes you've made, and start rewarding yourself for the good choices you make. One way to do this is by keeping a jar close by into which you drop a coin each time you make a conscious effort that benefits your body, soul, or spirit.

You'll discover that the little choices we make add up quickly. Decide to use the money at the end of each month to reward yourself in some way. With the money you've saved, buy a pair of earrings, a lip gloss, or (if you've saved enough) a great pair of jeans. It will make you feel good and encourage you to make wise decisions more often. Reshaping it All, page 187

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This week's giveaway:

A copy of Reshaping it All
A decorative plaque that reads: "A Journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."
A beautiful coil-bound journal

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 53

2011-04-22T11:09:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 53

In chapter fifteen, "A House Swept Clean," Candace talks about the difference between a moral transformation and a spiritual one.

There are many things in all of our lives that we handle in a moral way. We're raised to be moral and society would expect nothing less. But God calls us to also live spiritually, and to handle things in a spiritual way.

In other words, He wants an intimate relationship with us, which calls us to surrender every area of our lives.

Why do we strive to be healthy and fit? Is it merely to look good and feel great, or do you require more of yourself?

On page 184, Candace writes,

I'm healthy because I want to be used by God to the best of my ability and as much as He'll allow me to be used. Health, fitness, and size act to glorify Him in my line of work. In my industry I need to stay in shape and be fit so I can get the types of roles I like and with those roles glorify Him. By doing that, I become a living testimony.

With that thought in mind, ask yourself, "Why am I reshaping it all?"

Knowing that many of us desire a deep relationship with the Lord, I pray that we will strive to glorify Him in all that we do, including the way we approach health.

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This week's giveaway:

A copy of Reshaping it All
A decorative plaque that reads: "A Journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."
A beautiful coil-bound journal

Want to win all three? Leave a comment on any post between now and Sunday, June 26, 2011. We'll choose one winner, and announce it here on Monday.

For extra entries, comment daily!!

_____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 52

2011-04-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 52

When I came across this adorable video of Candace, I couldn't help but share it with you. She's cute as always, but has come a long way in improving the way she approaches her health.

Then I called upon our friend Janelle, from Comfy in the Kitchen, with the question, "Do you have a recipe for chicken done right?" And of course--she did!

Janelle is what I consider the "Rachel Ray" of online cooking, and what's even better is that cooking is her ministry as well as her passion!

Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs

This is one of my favorite chicken recipes EVER! I make this often in the Summer for guests. These kabobs taste amazing and look beautiful. The pineapple juice in the marinade makes the chicken so juicy...Mmmm! Enjoy!

Marinade: soy sauce, pineapple juice, vegetable oil, brown sugar, garlic powder (I used garlic, garlic), ginger, dry mustard.

For the pineapple juice, I simply use the juice from a can of pineapple. But, for the pineapple in the kabobs- I use fresh pineapple. Call me crazy..but I can taste a big difference in canned vs. fresh pineapple!

Grate your ginger. You can find ginger root at your grocery store. It is typically by the fresh lettuce. Peel the skin off and simply grate it with a zester or your cheese grater. No biggie here.

This is what it will look like. DO NOT omit this if all possible-it really adds a kick to the marinade!

Put all those ingredients into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 mins. Take off of burner and let cool in the saucepan.

Cut up raw chicken (get rid of fat)

Place your cut chicken in a 9x13 pan and pour marinade over top

Cover and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or overnight.

Prep your veggies. I have fresh pineapple, red peppers, green peppers, cherry tomatoes, and onions.

When you are ready to "kabob" water your skewers so they don't catch on fire on the grille.

Ready!

And away we go! After I finish "kabobing" I sprinkle them with seasoned salt and freshly ground pepper. (I use Tastefully Simple Seasoned Salt-it is so good).

Fire up the grill! I lay grill foil down every time I make kabobs- it keeps them from sticking and if anything falls off it just falls onto the foil. I cooked these on medium high heat (I have a gas grill) for about 6 mins then flipped for another 6 mins.

Our menu that evening also included fresh watermelon, corn on the cob, mashed garlic red potatoes, pickled cucumbers and bread twists (and berry cobbler). I put most of my effort into the main course and made sure to make very simple sides.

Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs (Makes enough for 6- you may double as I did in the photos)

Marinade:
1/2 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. pineapple juice
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp fresh ginger
1 tsp dry mustard

6-8 chicken breasts
2 green peppers
2 onions
2 red peppers
1 container of cherry tomatoes
1 pineapple cored and cut into cubes

Wooden skewers
Seasoned salt and pepper to taste.

Combine all marinade ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 mins. Cool. Cut off fat on raw chicken and cube. Place chicken in a 9x13 pan and pour cooled marinade over top. Cover and put in refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours (or overnight). Prep/cut all veggies up and place in another 9x13 and refrigerate until you are ready to "kabob". Run water over wooden skewers so they do not catch fire on grill. Alternate chicken with veggies and pineapple. Sprinkle kabobs with seasoned salt and pepper. Heat grill to med-high heat and cover with grill foil (or regular foil with cooking spray). Grill covered appx 6 mins a side until chicken is cooked through. Utter deliciousness.

Enjoy! ~ Janelle

For more recipes like these, visit Janelle at "Comfy in the Kitchen." And for those of us who want healthy alternatives, Janelle regularly features "Comfy in My Jeans" recipes that are both delicious and good for our health!

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Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 51

2011-04-20T22:26:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 51

Posted by Darlene Schacht, Co-author of Reshaping it All

Matthew 14:22-33 illustrates power in what I like to refer to as “eye contact.” This is the story of Peter, one of the twelve disciples, who stepped onto the water with the best of intentions. Despite the storm that surrounded him, Peter was willing to take a walk of faith.

An interesting thing about this story is that Peter initiated this walk of faith—not the other way around.

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
~ Matthew 14:28, NIV.

Don't you just love that expression of faith? I do!

If you want a permanent change in your life, and you're willing to see what the power of God can do, then take that step of faith too. Like Peter, get your feet wet, and move forward. Trust.

Right about now insecurity is probably telling you that you can’t. Oh, I’ve had the same voice nagging me too. Any time I try to do it on my strength alone.

But there’s another voice that powers me to press on. The voice that speaks softly but surely through each storm I face.

“Come,” He says.

And I know it’s the voice of my Savior hoping that once again I’ll lift my eyes until they’re locked in place with His. Hoping that I’ll trust Him every step of the way.

Visit Darlene at her blog, Time-Warp Wife: Empowering Wives to Joyfully Serve:

*Note: Winner of the 8 x 10 autographed photo will be announced later today, and our next giveaway will be announced here tomorrow (Tuesday)!!

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Congratulations from Deborah of Happy Beyond, who won the 8 x 10 autographed copy of Candace Cameron Bure!

Her comment was randomly chosen through www.random.org

______________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 50

2011-04-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 50

A Pinch of Practicality from Reshaping it All...

If you've lost weight or you want to maintain, make sure your clothing fits well, and alter any clothing that doesn't. Don't hang on to large sizes because it only gives you an excuse to put the lost weight back on. It's one thing to have a few comfy sweatpants for days you feel bloated, but don't keep a pair of over-sized jeans.

If you dropped a few sizes, there isn't any reason the size twelves should still be hanging around unless you expect to return to that size. Clean out the old clothes and believe that this change is for good. Give them to your favorite charity, or send them off to a friend, but get them out of your sight.

If the big clothes are gone and your pants start to fill snug, you won't have anything to fall back on. The only choice you'll have is to buckle down on bad habits again.

Maintaining is a lot easier than letting ten pouds creep up and having to go at it all over again.

(Reshaping it All, page 176)

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Last day to enter this weeks giveaway!

Want to win an autographed 8 x 10 photo of Candace?

We have one to give away!

My daughter and I each received a photo this past spring when Candace came to visit, and we have them nicely framed on our dressers. I love mine!

If you'd like to enter our draw for your chance to win, simply leave us a comment on any post between now and Sunday (June 19/11) at midnight. With your comment please include some way to contact you.

We'll randomly choose one winner and announce it here on Monday!

___________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 49

2011-04-18T21:22:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 49

In chapter fourteen Candace teaches us the art of dining out. Why? Because parties, barbecues, family gatherings, special holidays, church potlucks, business luncheons, and restaurant outings happen--often.

The thing is, that those of us who struggle with appetite control will use these occasions as another excuse to over indulge instead of living moderately and making wise choices that improve our health.

Candace writes,

Eating well shouldn't stop when you leave the house. In fact restaurants offer us the perfect opportunity to make a good choice. We are so used to pampering our passion instead of looking at food as fuel that we make the wrong choice time and again. If we start training ourselves to be content with the food we require, whether that food is a salad or a steak, we begin to grow into healthy, mature eaters. (Reshaping it All, page 174)

With summer upon us many of you will be taking family vacations in which you find yourself eating out more often than you usually do. This is a chance to practice making wise choices, instead of going the route you normally would.

Those who do choose healthy alternatives are the first ones to tell you that they have come to enjoy the taste, and I trust you will too!

__________________________________________

This weeks giveaway!

Want to win an autographed 8 x 10 photo of Candace?

We have one to give away!

My daughter and I each received a photo this past spring when Candace came to visit, and we have them nicely framed on our dressers. I love mine!

We'll randomly choose one winner and announce it here on Monday!

___________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 48

2011-04-17T20:58:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 48

Visit Brittany at her blog, "The High-Heeled Housewife"

___________________________________________

This weeks giveaway!

Want to win an autographed 8 x 10 photo of Candace?

We have one to give away!

My daughter and I each received a photo this past spring when Candace came to visit, and we have them nicely framed on our dressers. I love mine!

If you'd like to enter our draw for your chance to win, simply leave us a comment on any post between now and Sunday (June 19/11) at midnight.

We'll randomly choose one winner and announce it here on Monday!

___________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 47

2011-04-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 47

Guest contributor, Rebecca from Rebecca's Hearth and Home

I've not shared my struggle with weight-loss publicly before, but as I was writing the following post to a small group of friends and family members, I got an overwhelming feeling that I should share it with you. Perhaps there is someone out there who can benefit from what I have to say, or perhaps, from what I'm going through. If God can use it in any way for His glory, then so be it!

Here is part of the letter that I composed...

"...Life has been totally out of control for so long and, for far too long, I seemed to have lost my way on almost every front. I'd flub up, get depressed, and, for all intent and purpose, quit everything. I've done this in so many areas that I nearly quit living altogether! Not good!

Well... no more! Over the past few weeks the Lord has brought about situations into my life that are allowing me to, and helping me, to once again find my footing and get on with it. This whole week (knock on wood) has been good and I have made progress in several areas...including diet and exercise. I am very thankful and I cannot praise the Lord enough for all that He's done for me. I am finally getting a few spiritual concepts that I've held in my head for years, down into my heart and soul where they can take root and grow. I'm thinking that if I just take one day at a time, I will continue to make progress. What I did yesterday, I can do today...right?

Two things that are really sticking with me are:

God's grace.
Allowing GOD to fill the hole in my soul that I've been trying to fill all these years with food

Where the idea came from this time I don't remember. I simply remember asking God to, please, in the name of Jesus, show me HOW to do it...and it came! I prayed...and it kept coming! It has come every day this week! I pray in the morning and I purposefully, and specifically, ask God to help me through my day. The biggie is, when I feel extremely hungry, instead of just going and getting whatever I want, I pray again...specifically...for God to fill that hole that's making me hungry...and not one time has He failed me since doing so!

When I started this, I vowed that, with God's help, I would not eat a bite after 8:00 at night...and, thus far, I haven't! But, oh, I was soooooo hungry last night. I really was! I believe that I was actually hungry, but I went to bed and I prayed.

I just kept saying, "Lord, You take this! You fill this hole! Fill me with You, Lord! Help me to overcome the flesh and gain victory over it!"

And you know what? Next thing I knew I was waking up and looking forward to another day. And, believe me, I'm being much more discerning about what foods I'm putting in my mouth. I don't want to waste one calorie on something that I don't really want!

So...where am I? What are my goals? And where am I going?

As of this morning I weighed in at 247.8. I am 8/10 of a pound from reaching my first goal of losing 10 pounds. From there my goal is to get back to where I was last summer (234 pounds) by my 50th birthday, which is coming up in August. I think I can do it! After that, my goal is to carry on and reach my goal weight of 150 pounds by my 51st birthday in August 2012.

Will I do it? Only God knows, but, one thing I'm sure of, is this... I have a better chance now of achieving my goals than ever before, because, for the first time in my life, I am allowing God to fill a void in my life.

Visit Rebecca at her blog, "Rebecca's Hearth and Home:"

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This weeks giveaway!

Want to win an autographed 8 x 10 photo of Candace?

We have one to give away!

My daughter and I each received a photo this past spring when Candace came to visit, and we have them nicely framed on our dressers. I love mine!

If you'd like to enter our draw for your chance to win, simply leave us a comment on any post between now and Sunday (June 19/11) at midnight.

We'll randomly choose one winner and announce it here on Monday!

___________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 46

2011-04-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 46

Candace enjoying the moment with "Mandy" from chapter 13

There's Mandy. Isn't she beautiful?! Candace talks about Mandy and Lisa Young in chapter thirteen when she writes about contentment, saying,

"Mandy's been admitted to the hospital more than one hundred times, not counting visits for research, blood work, or doctor's appointments. Yet somehow the Young family has managed to say that happiness leads to health, and without it we can't live life to its fullest."

How do we find contentment in the midst of a storm? Let's take a quick look at five ways that Candace directs us to do it:

Stop looking back.
Count your blessings.
Delight in the Lord.
Embrace the recipe you own.
Choose your reaction.

Each of those steps are briefly mentioned here, but if you turn to page 159 in the book, you will see where Candace has expanded on each.

_______________________________________________

This weeks giveaway!

Want to win an autographed 8 x 10 photo of Candace?

We have one to give away!

My daughter and I each received a photo this past spring when Candace came to visit, and we have them nicely framed on our dressers. I love mine!

If you'd like to enter our draw for your chance to win, simply leave us a comment on any post between now and Sunday (June 19/11) at midnight.

We'll randomly choose one winner and announce it here on Monday!

___________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 45

2011-04-14T21:14:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 45

Guest contributor, Misty from The Basics of Life

I really wasn't sure how much difference working on the Reshaping it All Challenge was going to make for my body, but I was all for "motivation for physical and spiritual fitness!" I had already gotten down to my "fighting weight" about the time the challenge started.

My "fighting weight" is just a comfortable weight for me, but since I've found this weight after having both kids, I still easily gain 5 lbs, lose 5 lbs (the terrible yo-yo). This last year I gained like 8 or 10 lbs onto that weight. Ugh! That is just way too much for my small frame. Although I am 5 foot 6 inches tall (or 7 inches, depending on who's measuring me) and I feel like a giant next to my 5'2" cousins, I am small boned. That much weight on this frame is just too much. My clothes were all getting tight... some of them just didn't even fit anymore.

Well, here comes the exciting news. After getting down to my comfortable weight again. I can pretty much wear all my clothes and feel comfortable. I don't think I've gone below that weight since I lost all my baby weight after Ellie was a year old. Yesterday I had to tuck in my shirt and put a belt on with my shorts. Today I stepped on the scale and I am 2 lbs below the comfortable weight! I was not and am not trying to lose weight. I just want to be healthy and fit. I've been excercising so much more consistantly that I was really encouraged to see that I was losing inches when I put on my clothes.

I put on a pair of denim capri pants that I've saved, but haven't really been comfortable in (even at the "comfortable" weight) for years. Today, they were comfortable! Here's a picture of me wearing them:

And here are the pictures of me in the Union28 "My Husband Rocks Hoodie" that I won from one of the giveaways on the Reshaping It All Challenge site:

Please visit Misty at her blog: The Basics of Life

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Congratulations to Mamama from "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" who won a copy of the Family Study Bible. Thank you Good Morning Girls for your contribution!

Stay tuned as we will be announcing another giveaway soon!!

__________________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 44

2011-04-13T20:35:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 44

Posted by Darlene Schacht, co-author of Reshaping it All

There are those times when we meet failure, that we must ask ourselves if we’re on the right path. Is my eating plan the right one for me? Is it possible that I’m already too thin? Have I taken the time to nourish my spirit, body and soul? If you’re on the right track then press on regardless of how it might “feel” at the present time.

Let’s get technical…

As much as we’d like to change this fact, our bodies have built in calculators that keep track of every calorie in and ever calorie out—adding and subtracting as our days move along.

Here are the facts: The “average” woman burns approximately 1700 calories/day while doing average activities. And there are 3,500 calories in one pound of fat. So, if you are one of these “average” women who hasn’t increased her physical activities, but is eating 1800 calories/day, then you’re likely to find yourself gaining one pound every 35 days.

See the math there? 100 calories over daily maximum x 35 days = 3,500 (one pound of fat). In the year, you’ve gained about 10 pounds. Unfortunately it’s those small things that add up. Even if you reduce that to the point where you are gaining only one pound per year–perhaps it’s that extra muffin each morning–you’ll still find yourself 10 pounds heavier/decade, which we often see.

I was 103 pounds when I got married–but keep in mind that I’m only 5’2”. Much of the reason I was light is because I drove my ten-speed bike everywhere that I went. Once my husband started doing the driving, the ten-speed and I saw less and less of each other, and I began to see more and more of myself! As I began to cook for my family and I, my appetite also increased, which became excessive for my size. I used to eat 12 tacos for dinner, whereas now I have two at the max. For lunch I’d eat a 12” sub with extra cheese and bacon, grab a bag of chips to go with it, and a cookie for dessert. I washed that down with a large Coke. Within the first ten years of marriage I gained almost 50 pounds. If I had stayed on that path, I would have continued to gain at an exessive rate. Not a pretty picture.

The good news is that the same rings true for the opposite—the small things add up! Let’s consider 100 calories… Eliminate 100 calories from your daily intake and you will see a difference of 10 pounds/year. Now accelerate that–cut a large take out hamburger in half and you have 25 pounds/year—a blueberry muffin another 25 pounds. Prepare a healthy alternative at home and you're way ahead! Add in a few extra activities here and there, such as walking to the store, taking the stairs, or painting a room, and you’ve subtracted a few more calories from your bank. Every little bit is counting.

I’ve gotten into the habit of eating smaller portions and choosing healthier options whenever I can. We went out of town this weekend and stopped at a gas station for a snack. While my sister and her husband were buying their stuff in the gas bar, I slipped over to the adjacent restaurant where I ordered take-out watermelon and an orange. It was unique, and far better than a bag of salty chips.

The only difference between a drop of rain and an ocean is repetition and time.

Visit me at my blog, Time-Warp Wife: Empowering Wives for Joyfully Serve:

Note: We will announce the winner of the Family Study Bible on Monday afternoon.
______________________________________________

Congratulations to Mamama from "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" who won a copy of the Family Study Bible. Thank you Good Morning Girls for your contribution!

______________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 43

2011-04-12T22:39:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 43

Today I'd like to continue our discussion on priorities. In chapter twelve, Candace writes:

The reason that priorities have been so important through my journey is because while I've been fortifying my body with diet and exercise, I also know that fortifying the very core of my being powers the actions I take.

Could I get out of bed at 3:45 without self-control? Could I balance it all without patience? Could I enjoy every stage of my children's lives without joy? And what would my future hold without faith? (Reshaping it All, page 147)

Setting out to lose weight won't do anyone an ounce of good, but setting out to change the way one lives and the way they relate to food will.

I remember our first year of marriage. My husband and I had a french door in our living room that we picked up at the local hardware store. Anxious to set it up, I painted the door with white latex. The next day I painted it again--and the next day, and the next day after that...

After about 10 coats of paint, my husband and I realized that there was a good reason painters used primer. The wood wasn't going to cooperate without first being sealed.

In much the same way, our bodies aren't always willing to cooperate with our brains if we don't tend to those things of importance first.

Good intentions can easily be stifled by impatience, gluttony, and a tendency to be lazy. But if you work on those things by fortifying your spirit, the fruit of your spirit each become an asset that powers your intent.

To learn more about fortifying your spirit, I encourage you to read, Galatians chapter 5.

Darlene Schacht, Co-author of Reshaping it All

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Sunday is the last day to enter this weeks giveaway from GoodMorningGirls.org!

The Family Reading Bible by Zondervan:

It has a reading plan inside the Bible. You can choose to use their reading plan or go at your own pace.
It has questions throughout the Bible for discussions with the kids. These are so helpful to keep a good dialogue going.
It’s fun to have a Bible that is designated as the “Family Bible.”

GoodMorningGirls.org would like to give away one copy of the Family Reading Bible to a Reshaping It All reader!

* To enter simply leave us a comment any day, between now and Sunday.*

For extra entries: comment daily, or tweet, facebook or blog this notice, and let us know that you did:

"GoodMorningGirls.org is hosting a giveaway at http://www.ReshapingItAll.com"

_____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 42

2011-04-11T22:47:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 42

Candace with four of her top-five priorities

If you're following along with us, we're on chapter twelve and 42 days into our 65-Day challenge. I can't believe we've come this far!!

This is the chapter in which Candace addresses the importance of priorities. Why priorities? Because one) God needs to be number one in anything and everything that we do, and two) so many of us put health on the back burner due to a lack of time or it's rank of importance.

I know for a fact that many of you have had bad weeks due to stress--you've said so. And I have to tell you that during these past few weeks I've also dealt with incredible stress. Had it not been for my commitment to this challenge I probably would have taken the easy road and grabbed the nearest bag of potato chips. But that wasn't an option for me, and because I have forced myself to press on, I have learned that it's not only possible to get through stress without a crutch, it's rewarding.

With that thought in mind, these are wise words to ponder:

Set priorities for your goals. A major part of successful living lies in the ability to put things first. Indeed, the reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first. --Author Unknown

__________________________________________

Two days left to enter this weeks giveaway from GoodMorningGirls.org!

The Family Reading Bible by Zondervan:

It has a reading plan inside the Bible. You can choose to use their reading plan or go at your own pace.
It has questions throughout the Bible for discussions with the kids. These are so helpful to keep a good dialogue going.
It’s fun to have a Bible that is designated as the “Family Bible.”

GoodMorningGirls.org would like to give away one copy of the Family Reading Bible to a Reshaping It All reader!

* To enter simply leave us a comment any day, between now and Sunday.*

For extra entries: comment daily, or tweet, facebook or blog this notice, and let us know that you did:

"GoodMorningGirls.org is hosting a giveaway at http://www.ReshapingItAll.com"

_____________________________________________

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Reshaping it All - Day 41

2011-04-10T11:39:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 41

Guest contributor, Clare from Peak 313 Fitness

This weekend I did a little race called the Warrior Dash. I went with my 2 girlfriends, Jinka and Beth, and we had a BLAST! We made it a small girls weekend which made the experience even sweeter!

If you've never heard of a Warrior Dash, it's a 3.1 mile obstacle course. We started out with almost a 1.5 mile ascent in the woods. If you've ever run on trails before, you would agree that they are difficult, but add hundreds of people and a huge thunderstorm the night before and you've got yourself a muddy, nasty course! Needless to say, once we hit the obstacle courses, we were THRILLED! We did things like climb a canvas rope wall, swim through a pond pushing huge logs out of the way, jump over a junkyard, climb a rope wall, walk the plank, jump over 2 lines of fire and end in a mudpit where you crawl under barbwire! Yes. It was AWESOME!

You ought to know by now that whenever I exercise, I get totally inspired. As I was flying down the muddy trails, praying that I wouldn't lose my life, my mind was thinking of blog posts for you!!! Here are some things that I learned from my Warrior Dash.

♥♥♥

Muddy ground is slippery. Stating the obvious here, right? Sure. You think you are on solid ground, and then all of a sudden WHAM! There's a muddy patch and if you aren't careful, you are flying down, uncontrolled, grabbing for anything around you. There's no question that I was slipping through most of the race. I was searching for anything anchored--branches, tree stumps, poison ivy..whatever...I just needed to be anchored!

♦ Are you running on muddy ground? Are you in situations or involved with people in your life that are leaving you grabbing for anything? Set your feet on a ROCK. Be strong and go forward.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

Psalm 40:2

♥♥♥

Things like cute ribbons can entangle you. I was making my way down a muddy, slippery path and all of a sudden, I felt a jolt to the body. My cute pink and purple hair ribbons got caught in a tree branch. I tried to quickly undo them, fumbling with muddy fingers, but that wasn't working. I had to stop and unwind them as people passed me by. It wasn't the distraction I needed or wanted at the time, but thankfully I got free.

♦ Do you have something in your life that is entangling you? Is it an addiction? A relationship? A thought? If you are entangled you aren't free to move forward. Life is passing you by and you missing out on the race that God has marked for you.

Let us throw off everything that hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of our faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2

♥♥♥

Teamwork rocks. We decided that the 3 of us would stay together in this race. We were out to experience the dash instead of trying to win it. When one would get ahead of the others, they would stop and wait until we gathered and then we went on. One of the first obstacles we encountered was a pond with HUGE logs anchored across it. You had to jump in and push down the logs into the water as you shimmied across them. There were about 4 or 5 of these logs. I was in front and my friends were close behind. One of my friends realized she couldn't touch the bottom and was struggling to get through. The other stopped, grabbed her hand and pulled her through while I would yell "LOG!" as we approached one. It was total teamwork to get through that obstacle. We hit another obstacle with a rock wall and we talked through how to get up and around with each other. At the end, we grabbed hands and passed through the finish line with big smiles! (I'm brought to tears remembering this!)

♦ Do you have a team of people to uphold you? Listen up. Life is rough. You encounter obstacles and if you think you can get through it alone, you are crazy. You need the support of other people. Sometimes you need them to pull you through. Sometimes you need them to shout loudly in front of you. Sometimes you are the one upholding them. Please don't try to walk through life without help. Remove the pride and reach out. You will end the race victoriously, together.

But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body,
every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
If they were all one part, where would the body be?
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
1 Corinthians 12:18-20

♥♥♥

Dirt and mud is fun....for about 25 minutes. OK. Some of you may think I'm crazy for saying this, but I honestly didn't mind getting down and dirty. It was such a blast, but that came to a quick end. After the race, we got quite a few pictures, but were quickly ready to spray off. We didn't get totally cleaned where the fire hose was so we had to walk around and then drive home, half muddy. We were sooooo happy to get to our hotel and to shower off! It felt wonderful to get clean!!!

♦ Sin is fun, isn't it? Satan knows exactly what to use to get us entangled. One of our pastors always says that sin takes you further than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay and costs you more than you want to pay. After a while though, the guilt and the dirtiness surrounds you. It starts to weigh you down and you are ready to be cleansed. When and if you play in the mud, run to the cleansing water.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience
and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22

♥♥♥

Caked in dirt and mud stays around for a while. Even after our thorough showers, our clean white towels had remnants of dirt. Beth found dirt left in the crevices of her ears and toes. I was wiping dirt out of my eyes all day and we ALL were spitting dirt all day long! It took a good day or so to be totally cleansed.

♦ There may be some sins in your life that are going to hang on a bit. Have you been battling with depression, eating disorders or abusive situations? Chances are, they are deep within you. One shower will not get the deep hurts and regrets clean. Take the situation into your hands and get further help. Reach out to those who can walk you through a total cleansing. And remember that parts of your sin nature will pop it's head up in places you wouldn't realize. When you see that, clean it. Nip it in the bud. Work at keeping yourself clean and whole.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.
May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:22-24

♥♥♥

If you'd like to see more pics from the "Warrior Dash"
and read more posts like this, visit Clare at her blog, Peak313 Fitness

__________________________________________

Enter This Weeks Giveaway from GoodMorningGirls.org!

The Family Reading Bible by Zondervan:

It has a reading plan inside the Bible. You can choose to use their reading plan or go at your own pace.
It has questions throughout the Bible for discussions with the kids. These are so helpful to keep a good dialogue going.
It’s fun to have a Bible that is designated as the “Family Bible.”

GoodMorningGirls.org would like to give away one copy of the Family Reading Bible to a Reshaping It All reader!

* To enter simply leave us a comment any day, between now and Sunday.*

For extra entries: comment daily, or tweet, facebook or blog this notice, and let us know that you did:

"GoodMorningGirls.org is hosting a giveaway at http://www.ReshapingItAll.com"

_____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 40

2011-04-09T19:18:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 40

__________________________________________

Enter This Weeks Giveaway from GoodMorningGirls.org!

The Family Reading Bible by Zondervan:

It has a reading plan inside the Bible. You can choose to use their reading plan or go at your own pace.
It has questions throughout the Bible for discussions with the kids. These are so helpful to keep a good dialogue going.
It’s fun to have a Bible that is designated as the “Family Bible.”

GoodMorningGirls.org would like to give away one copy of the Family Reading Bible to a Reshaping It All reader!

* To enter simply leave us a comment any day, between now and Sunday.*

For extra entries: comment daily, or tweet, facebook or blog this notice, and let us know that you did:

"GoodMorningGirls.org is hosting a giveaway at http://www.ReshapingItAll.com"

_____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 39

2011-04-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 39

This week we've been talking about thoughts that wear us down like school-yard bullies, and how we might conquer those thoughts. In chapter eleven Candace writes,

Instead of conquering bullies, we need to focus on conquering thoughts since harassment travels through our brain before settling in. We can't change the world, but we can change the way we react to it. Neither words nor thoughts can affect us without our thought pattern allowing them. Temptation acts much the same way. It's a smell, a sound or a visual cue that travels through our thoughts before it becomes a desire. (Reshaping it All, page 121)

And how do these bullies get under our skin? They entice us by stimulating our desire to touch, taste, see, feel and hear.

But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ~ James 1:14, NIV

If you are struggling to reshape your life, make an effort to protect yourself from those things that bring your down by avoiding them. For example, don't walk into a bakery if you have an addiction to doughnuts, and don't bring chips into the house if they aren't part of your plan.

Guard your senses before they become thoughts. But if and when they do become thoughts that lead you into paths of temptation, take each one captive as soon as you can.

___________________________________________

Enter This Weeks Giveaway from GoodMorningGirls.org!

The Family Reading Bible by Zondervan:

It has a reading plan inside the Bible. You can choose to use their reading plan or go at your own pace.
It has questions throughout the Bible for discussions with the kids. These are so helpful to keep a good dialogue going.
It’s fun to have a Bible that is designated as the “Family Bible.”

GoodMorningGirls.org would like to give away one copy of the Family Reading Bible to a Reshaping It All reader!

* To enter simply leave us a comment any day, between now and Sunday.*

For extra entries: comment daily, or tweet, facebook or blog this notice, and let us know that you did:

"GoodMorningGirls.org is hosting a giveaway at http://www.ReshapingItAll.com"

_____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 38

2011-04-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 38

Guest Contributor, Courtney from Women Living Well

On page 133, Candace defines the word conscious as: “acting with critical awareness, as in a conscious effort to do better.” This is a subject that I humbly and openly admit that I struggle with. I have a few favorite foods that I overeat unconsciously.

Since I was a child I've had a funny relationship with chips and dip - my favorite - yet my most hated food! I love them so much, I hate them, because I literally cannot stop once I start eating them - therefore - you will NEVER find chips and dip in my home unless we have company coming. I have a few other foods I feel this way about also. I know they are unhealthy for me - but my cravings always seem to be stronger than my self-control!

Elizabeth George has noted "The best exercise is to exercise discretion at the dining table."

Elizabeth Elliot said of Daniel "Discipline is evident on every page of the life of Daniel...The first thing that sets Daniel apart is a decision regarding food...It was the beginning of the Lord's preparation of a man whose spiritual fiber would be rigorously tested later on." Daniel was a man who paid attention to what went into his mouth and how it affected him.

And we learn from Jonathon - that we MUST eat. In I Samuel 14, Saul sent his men into battle and told them not to eat until they had finished the battle--the entire army was faint. Jonathon did not know of Saul's order and he dipped his finger in honey and ate and the Bible says "His countenance was brightened." And Jonathon says of the fainting army "How much better if the people had eaten freely today".

God wants us to fuel our body with food, yet we need to be conscious of the food we are putting into our mouths. That is why I LOVE the Reshaping It All Challenge! It is making me think before I eat, and that makes ALL the difference!

Walk with the King!

Courtney

Please visit Courtney at her blog, Women Living Well:

And if you have a minute would you consider casting a vote for her (Women Living Well) at Circle of Moms? She's in second place, and there's only a day or two left to vote!

___________________________________________

Time for a Giveaway!

Courtney has a special GIVEAWAY for us from her other website, Good Morning Girls!! I'll let her tell you about it:

GoodMorningGirls.org offers quiet-time “tech accountability groups.” Right now we have over 1,500 Good Morning Girls and we are having a great summer session together!

Now for the giveaway... I'm excited to share The Family Reading Bible by Zondervan! I read out of it daily to my children – ages 6 and 8.

While I love to read picture Bible books to my children, we are at a point where they are desiring the meat of God’s word. So this Bible has been perfect for us!

Here’s a few reasons why:

It has a reading plan inside the Bible. You can choose to use their reading plan or go at your own pace. (We go at our own pace.)
It has questions throughout the Bible for discussions with the kids. These are so helpful to keep a good dialogue going.
It’s fun to have a Bible that is designated as the “Family Bible.” It sits on our kitchen table and we read it over breakfast or lunch (my children are homeschooled). Then I mark and date the day we read it.

My dream is to read through the entire family Bible before the children are 18.

Some days the children listen intently and beg for more reading – so we cover large passages or have long talks. Other days, their attention span is short and we can only read a few verses.

GoodMorningGirls.org would like to give away one copy of the Family Reading Bible to a Reshaping It All reader!

* To enter simply leave us a comment any day, between now and Sunday.*

For extra entries: comment daily, or tweet, facebook or blog this notice, and let us know that you did:

"GoodMorningGirls.org is hosting a giveaway at http://www.ReshapingItAll.com"

_____________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 37

2011-04-06T21:59:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 37

On to chapter 11, where we talk about conscious living. If any of you are struggling to stay on the path to reshaping it all, this chapter just might be the motivation you need. I challenge you, as I challenge myself to monitor ourselves over the next couple of days. While we study our actions a little bit closer we may start to notice areas that are shaping up well, and others that need improving upon.

On page 139, Candace writes,

Whether our actions are an asset or a liability, conscious living takes us to a place where we take note of them. By being aware of our weakness, we can change our behavior to strengthen our resolve or do away with bad habits.

When we see the good that we've done and the difference it's making, we are able to note the area of growth and improve upon it. Closely monitoring ourselves is one way to bring conscious living to the forefront and make the changes that need to be made.

This week I challenge you to reflect on your actions. It may be once a day for you, or it could be a few times throughout the day. Either way, I encourage you to take a few minutes to either journalize or internalize each step that you take.

Let's meet back here tomorrow to discuss some of the suggestions for monitoring that Candace has made.

____________________________________________

Thank you to everyone who participated in last weeks giveaway for a $50.00 gift certificate to Amazon. We have picked a winner through www.random.org.

And the Winner Is!!! #47 Mandi K! Congratulations, Mandi!

Please contact me at darlene[at]darleneschacht[dot]net so I can have the prize sent out to you.

And if you didn't win this time, come back tomorrow to find out what our next giveaway will be!!

___________________________________________

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Reshaping it All - Day 36

2011-04-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 36

Posted by Darlene Schacht, co-author of Reshaping it All

We're often asked how we can overcome a constant desire for sweets. It’s a good question, since it’s a struggle that many of us have tried to get past. The way that I see it is that we can’t control the things we desire, until our hearts have been changed. Fortunately they naturally change over time so that many of the things we once enjoyed aren’t so appealing anymore, but there are some things that we develop a passion for that never seem to go away, no matter how old we get.

Take chocolate for instance. Some of us developed a weakness for chocolate in our teens and it’s plagued us ever since. For others, like me, it’s potato chips. I just can’t seem to get enough salt. I figured that by the age of 45 this chip phase would be gone, but nope—it often rears its ugly head when the TV goes on–or when it’s off for that matter.

So how do we separate ourselves from these passions? That question would be similar to one asking “How do I run a marathon?” The answer is simple—a sensible training program will get you there. Sure you can run without training, but all you’ll manage to get is a sprint. In order to complete in a marathon, athletes must train for months or years.

In dieting, the sprint is otherwise known as the “Yo-Yo Diet.” You start off at a great pace, but soon find out that you aren’t equipped for the long run. You can barely make a mile, never mind 26.2. A few months or a year down the road, you start again with the same uncontrolled enthusiasm you had before, and once again you lose steam.

If you want to achieve long term success, you must train yourself as an athlete trains for a race—no pain no gain.

Our resistance is quite weak on the first three days of a new diet plan. If we can just get past the first three days, things usually seem to get a bit easier. Again if we get past the first three weeks, we start to see the muscle is strengthened and working for us. Those of us who have been reshaping it all for 36 days are seeing the difference the strength training has made.

Does this sound like a foreign concept? Compare this scripture:

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees." ~ Hebrews 12:11-12, NIV

So, the answer to the question, “how could one overcome a constant desire for sweets?” is resistance training. No, it isn’t easy at first, but it does get easier the more we train ourselves to say “No.”

Saying “no” should never include a pacifier. If you’ve had enough sweets, then don’t fall into the trap that so many dieters do of purchasing low-cal alternatives to squeeze a little more in. A few years back, just after I took off 40 pounds, and had maintained for a while, I decided that indulging in low-cal gelatin would be a great afternoon treat. What could it hurt?

I started to get my gelatin ready the night before (cherry is my favorite), then enjoy a large bowlful the next day, in the heat of the afternoon sun. It was working for me, until I tired of the same old afternoon treat, and started rummaging through the cupboards for something better. Pretty soon ice cream and I were bathing together in the hot summer sun, day after day.

Had I just stuck with the plan, which didn’t include an afternoon treat every day, I wouldn’t have had another bad habit to kick. A better idea would have been to plan for an occasional treat.

Imagine how our children would be if every time they cried for a cookie we handed them something sweet. Teaching our children to know when they’ve had enough is an important part of their training. It’s also a part of ours.

Learn to train yourself to eat enough, to make the best choices, and to stick to the plan. That’s how you’ll win this race!

Visit me at my blog, Time-Warp Wife: Empowering Wives to Joyfully Serve

________________________________________________

Last day to enter this week's giveaway!

Our sponsor, Art Bookbindery is giving away a $50.00 Amazon gift certificate to one of our participants!!!!

So if there's a book you've been wanting to buy for a while--this giveaway might offer you that chance!!

We will randomly choose one winner from our list of participants that you see in the linky list below. So if you haven't put your name in there yet, then please do. If you don't have a blog, you can use www.reshapingitall.com in place of the address.

We'll announce the winner here next Monday (June 6, 2011), so get your name in with the others!

_______________________________________________________

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Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 35

2011-04-04T22:33:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 35

Posted by Darlene Schacht, Co-author of Reshaping it All

Over the past few days we've been talking a lot about resisting temptation. Now that I've challenged myself to Reshape it All for 65 Days, I'm finding that my resistance muscle is much stronger than it was on day one. In fact our family went out to a movie last night, and I had no desire whatsoever to order a snack. Good choices seem to come easy these days, which is the wonderful thing about repetition and time.

But if you're not at that place yet, where good choices are becoming ingrained, there are things you can do to help yourself resist temptation in regards to bad diet--today. In "A Pinch of Practicality," (Reshaping it All, page 127) Candace offers us a few ideas such as:

Give away or throw away food that isn't part of your plan. Get it out of the house.
Put treats in inconvenient places, so temptation doesn't wear you down.
Stock up on healthy food like fruit, vegetables, and bottled water.
Wash and prepare produce so that it's handy when you need it.
Keep fruit where you'll see it often.
Refill water bottles and chill them in the fridge for convenience
Make a habit of bringing a bottle of water with you when you go for a drive, so you won't be tempted to stop for sweetened coffee on the road.

See the pattern running through those suggestions? Bad food out of sight--good food within reach. In the same way I challenge you to keep the Word of God within reach. Keep it out in the open where you see it often, and make a habit of picking it up throughout the day

____________________________________________

Visit "Only a Breath" for her Summer Beach Party Giveaway!!!

Click here: Summer Beach Party Giveaway (ends on Sunday, June 5, 2011)

And don't forget to join in this week's giveaway!

Our sponsor, Art Bookbindery is giving away a $50.00 Amazon gift certificate to one of our participants!!!!

So if there's a book you've been wanting to buy for a while--this giveaway might offer you that chance!!

_______________________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 34

2011-04-03T22:29:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 34

Posted by Darlene Schacht, Co-author of Reshaping it All

If you've ever wondered what Dr. Drew does to keep himself looking so slim and trim--look no further than this photo. My guess is that he's enjoying chapter ten every bit as much as we are! *Grin*

This chapter is about avoiding temptation, which also relates to avoiding bullies that may come our way. Bullies come in every shape and size, whether it's in the form of a person or a temptation we face. Avoid them at all costs, and be brave when you're not.

In looking at the way bullies attack us, Candace and I got to thinking about the way that temptation tries to use the same game plan in getting under our skin. And likewise we can tackle them in much the same way.

Avoid them as much as possible.
Resist them, and they'll eventually flee.
Partner up with a buddy.

Let's look at each of these closely:

Avoid:

Looking to Job we see a little piece of scripture known as the eye covenant:

"I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?" ~ Job 31:1, NKJV

If this covenant helped Job overcome the lust of his flesh it can also work for you. This covenant would usher in a few changes for you such as avoiding the snack aisles you used to browse, passing by free samples without stopping to consider what they're serving today, and replying, "No, thank you." the next time someone passes a cookie or a caramel your way.

Resist:

Whenever I'm upset, I love hearing, "This too shall pass," because I know without a shadow of a doubt, that it's true. The Bible also tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from us. Whenever we resist temptation, regardless of how big or small it is, the temptation goes away after time. The problem is that we're usually more prone to instant gratification than we are to going without. Practice resisting more and more, and it will come easy after a while.

Buddy Up:

When I'm feeling blue, I like to go out for coffee with my good friend Lenise, because I know that she'll encourage me in the best way possible. Just this evening she texted to tell me that she was reading the Bible and praying for me. That type of connection is an incredible blessing for all Christians to have.

If you don't have that kind of support system, then I encourage you to seek it out. Maybe your church has a women's Bible study group, or maybe you're in a home school group that has some women you can connect with. Connecting with others helps to keep our sanity at times and remind you to stay on the path that you're walking. It's also an incredible blessing to have someone cheering you on. (Thank you, Lenise!!)

Visit me at my blog, Time-Warp Wife: Empowering Wives to Joyfully Serve

_______________________________________________

Visit "Only a Breath" for her Summer Beach Party Giveaway!!!

Click here: Summer Beach Party Giveaway (ends on Sunday, June 5, 2011)

And don't forget to join in this week's giveaway!

Our sponsor, Art Bookbindery is giving away a $50.00 Amazon gift certificate to one of our participants!!!!

So if there's a book you've been wanting to buy for a while--this giveaway might offer you that chance!!

_______________________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 33

2011-04-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 33

Posted by Darlene Schacht, Co-author of Reshaping it All

Do you realize just how often you eat on your feet? Most of us don’t realize it, but when we stop to count the many times we graze without thought we discover that we’ve picked up a small meal here and there without consideration.

With any reasonable diet, you’re looking at calories-in verses calories-out, whether they’re referred to as “calories” or “points” it’s just basic math. The problems that we face when it comes to this simple equation is that we either choose to ignore the small numbers in hopes that our bodies failed Math 101, or we feel cheated when it comes to meal time because we’re facing a deficit in our account. Been there? I have, but I’m waking up and pressing on, with a constant reminder that I am not a slave to the flesh.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. –Romans 8:12,13 KJV

The solution is to offer your body meals that are appealing to those over-sized eyes, yet not so appealing that we break the bank. How do we do this? We behave and we save. A good way to save is by sitting down each and every time we eat. If you feel like grabbing a cookie at 3:00 pm, then do so, but put that cookie on a plate in the kitchen for inclusion in your snack time or meal plan. Want an apple at 3:30? Fine, but do the same—put the apple beside the cookie, and wait for your designated time to sit down and eat. If you plan to have snack time, then by all means do, but whether you’re eating at 5:00 with the family, or waiting for that physical sign of hunger, you can rest knowing that the cookie and apple are waiting in the kitchen for you when the time is right. Remember, they don’t have legs—they’re not going anywhere!

By grouping our food into set meals, we combat a two-fold internal struggle we face:

Feeling of deprivation
The “I have a poverty stricken diet” mindset

When it’s finally mealtime, fill your plate once and sit down to eat. By placing the cookie and the apple alongside your meal, you have visual confirmation that you have enough. You may even find that you’re not hungering for that cookie anymore, and so you’ll return it to the jar.

That’s a good thing!

Once you’re sitting down, stay seated. There’s no reason that you need to run back to the kitchen for seconds. If you filled your plate well the first time, and you feel comfortably full, you’ve had enough. That second plate of food is a sure-fire way of depleting your account.

Drink a cup of tea or sip on some water for a bit while your food does its thing, then get up from the table and walk away from the food. Remember it takes about 20 minutes for the body to message the brain that it is full, but it will!

Cravings come in all colors and sizes, ladies. It might be a mink coat for one, a fancy purse for another or a fudge brownie for you. Regardless of how we slice it—our bodies are constantly combating hunger.

Just because we live with a longing for food, that doesn’t mean that our appetite has the power to control us. We can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us—amen? Amen!

Visit my blog, Time-Warp Wife: Empowering Wives to Joyfully Serve:

___________________________________________

Join in this week's giveaway!

Our sponsor, Art Bookbindery is giving away a $50.00 Amazon gift certificate to one of our participants!!!! What is Art Bookbindery? If you aren't familiar with them, I'll fill you in. Art Bookbindery empowers writers to self publish. Actually "we" do since it's my company too. :) (Darlene)

So if there's a book you've been wanting to buy for a while--this giveaway might offer you that chance!!

_______________________________________________________

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Reshaping it All - Day 32

2011-04-01T20:53:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 32

Let's close chapter nine with a pinch of practicality, shall we? On page 116, Candace offers great advice when she says...

Start to notice the positive, inspiring, or empowering quotes around you and jot them down. You may hear them from people or read them in your favorite book. The quotes make great pick-me-ups when you place them around the house.

Put one in your wallet that you'll see when you're paying for groceries.
Put a few on the fridge that you'll read when you're busy cooking.
Put one on the dashboard of your car to meditate on before you drive.

Encouraging quotes can be packed with power to feed your mind and strengthen your resolve.

Thousands of quotes can be found online, or you can munch on a few from the "Candy Dish" found at the end of each chapter. Here's one to get you started:

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. --Winston Churchhill

Set aside some time to pray, to read the Bible, and to listen to God speaking to you.

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Join in this weeks giveaway!

Our sponsor, Art Bookbindery is giving away a $50.00 Amazon gift certificate to one of our participants!!!! So if there's a book you've been wanting to buy for a while--this might be your chance!!

We will randomly choose one winner from our list of participants that you see in the linky list below. So if you haven't put your name in there yet, then please do. If you don't have a blog, you can use www.reshapingitall.com in place of the address.

We'll announce the winner here next Monday (June 6, 2011), so get your name in there!

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Reshaping it All - Day 31

2011-03-31T21:41:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 31

By Darlene Schacht, Co-author of Reshaping it All

This week we are focusing on controlling our thoughts. That's interesting timing as I asked a friend last Saturday wishing I had some practical ways to do that. It's easy to say, but not so easy to do when you're mind is stuck on replay.

As I got to thinking about this I came up with five ways that I've since been using to successfully control my thoughts, and I'd like to share them with you:

Consider the thought and make a firm decision. Is this something I want to meditate on or discard? If you decide to discard the thought, you have already accomplished step one.
Turn your attention away from it. If you are tempted by certain food, avoid it by not bringing it into the house, not passing it in the grocery store, or not driving by it when you're out in the car. Take a different route if you can.

If you are tempted to waste time on the computer, set a timer, and walk away from it when the bell rings.
Use distraction to your advantage. Reading a book, watching a video, playing with your kids, singing along with worship music or talking to a friend are a few ways you can do this.
Pray. Ask God to take the thoughts away from you.
Post positive reminders in places you'll see them. If you are discouraged, then jot down words of encouragement and place them around the house.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.. ~ 1 Peter 5:7-9, (NIV)

Visit my website, Time-Warp Wife: Empowering Wives to Joyfully Serve:

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Since we're just about half way through the challenge, we have a special giveaway for you!!

Our sponsor, Art Bookbindery is giving away a $50.00 Amazon gift certificate to one of our participants!!!! So if there's a book you've been wanting to buy for a while--this might be your chance!!

We will randomly choose one winner from our list of participants that you see in the linky list below. So if you haven't put your name in there yet, then please do. If you don't have a blog, you can use www.reshapingitall.com in place of the address.

We'll announce the winner here next Monday, so get your name in there!

_______________________________________________________

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Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 30

2011-03-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 30

Today we embark on chapter nine. One of my favorite chapters called, "Don't Feed the Lions."

Throughout the book, and again in this chapter, we learn that in order to be self-disciplined, our hearts must yield to our minds. But in order to equip our minds for the job, we need to keep that mind in the best shape we can. We do this by listening to the good, and tuning out the bad messages in life.

Focus provides us with the ability to improve our minds when that focus is fine tuned. Keeping our minds on track equips us to keep our bodies on track. That's what we need for success!

We received a letter from Missy, who wrote,

Ever since reading Reshaping It All I've had the urge to be more active and get moving! I've tried to do something active everyday whether it's been a 10 minute stretch or 10 mile hike, it counts! Also I've found it very beneficial to write down all the positive choices I've made throughout the day. Its been a great motivational tool that encourages me and reminds me that I'm making progress.

Now I also know that for every positive choice I've made there's probably a negative choice or two lingering over me. I think its important to realize that we're never going to have that completely perfectly healthy day this side of heaven. We're all going to be making mistakes until the good Lord calls us home, and we need to accept that and move on! We need to keep flexing our self-control muscles and making ourselves stronger! We need to continue to "run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

What is the end goal of our race? It's simply Jesus. We need to keep our eyes fixed on Him so that when the time comes we can hear those sweet words, "Well done good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

Please visit Missy at her blog, Graceful Little Honey Bee:

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Thank you to all who entered The Rusted Chain giveaway!

We have chosen a winner!! I decided to take the number of letters in "The Rusted Chain" to arrive at our winning number. That number is...14!!

So congratulations to Helen N! You are our 14th person to comment on this giveaway. Please contact me with your mailing address so I can pass it on to The Rusted Chain.

darlene{at}darleneschacht{dot}net

Come back tomorrow when we'll be announcing a new giveaway!!

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Reshaping it All - Day 29

2011-03-29T21:33:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 29

Posted by Darlene Schacht, Co-author of Reshaping it All

Here's the thing... I stepped onto the scale this morning and I was nearly seven pounds down. Seven pounds! That's a lot for a five-foot-barely-nothing girl like me.

But you know what? It's been slow, incredibly slow. I realize that if I didn't promise you all these "65 Days" I probably would have folded like a cheap lawn chair weeks ago.

Isn't that what happens to all of us? We do so incredibly well with our eating and exercising, but if the scale doesn't change in four days--or worse, it goes up a pound--we throw in the towel.

I've had a few weeks like that and a few days. I was rejoicing because I was five pounds down one day and disappointed that it was only four pounds the next. (A night at the salt lick will do that to you.)

But slow and steady wins the race, doesn't it? For the most part. I've done so well. I've eaten lots of fruit and vegetables. I've also eaten things like Mexican food and pizza in moderation, and I've made wise choices at every turn.

Wise choices have included salads at the greasy spoon, but now that I've tried their salads I'm hooked. Dairy Delight makes the best Greek Salad I've ever tried! Had I not been reshaping it all, I would have just ordered a burger and fries and missed out on the great taste. We've also been making fruit smoothies. I was addicted to Tim Horton's Ice Cappuccinos, but now that I've learned to make these smoothies I have formed a new habit that I MUCH prefer.

I can definitely see how this is now becoming a lifestyle change--what started out as a commitment to you has turned into a blessing to me!! Go God!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~ Galatians 6:9, (NIV)

Just take one step at a time, ladies. If it's two steps forward, and one step back, you're still moving forward. Don't give up on your journey to Reshaping it All!!

Visit me at my blog, Time-Warp Wife:

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LAST DAY to enter the giveaway!!

This week we're giving away a $25.00 gift certificate from our sponsor, "The Rusted Chain," to one of you!

The rusted chain offers custom hand stamped jewelry, full of meaning and inspiration! A bit rustic, a bit elegant, and a lot gorgeous!

If you would like to enter for your chance to win, please put your name in our draw by leaving a comment below. Along with your comment, tell us one thing that you would like to "reshape" in your life!

(I'll accumulate comments from all posts this week, so if you comment each day you increase your chances of winning)

We'll choose one winner and announce it here next Monday, May 30/11!

______________________________________________

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Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 28

2011-03-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it all - Day 28

Guest contributor, Joy from "Simply Bloom."

{I shared some of my notes from Temple Care 101 almost a year ago on my blog, but having just spoken on this subject a couple of weeks ago reignited my passion, so I wanted to revisit it and make the handouts available to you too!}

While often discarded as Eastern mysticism, I firmly believe the concept of Wellness is dear to God’s heart, after all…He made us this way, integrated human beings, with mind, body and spirit intertwined.

The bible says that Jesus came to bring us abundant life. In the original Greek, the word ‘abundant’ is ‘perissos’. This means life so ridiculously in excess that we cannot contain it. Superfluous, even.

Life this rich and vibrant cannot be achieved fully without health in all three areas: mind (will/emotions),body and spirit.

Plato even grasped this concept a whopping 399 years before Christ, stating…“you ought not to attempt to cure the eyes without the head, or the head without the body.…the body without the soul. For the part can never be well unless the whole is well.”

A true appreciation - and the resulting love for and care of our bodies - will only come naturally when we realize how stunningly, intentionally and miraculously we have been created. We are a masterpiece, conceived in the heart of a mighty God even before we were ever woven together – with purpose and passion – in our mother’s wombs. Do we really get this? It’s magnificent!

“Didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (The Message)

We need to use wisdom & common sense when it comes to taking care of these amazing bodies of ours. I think it’s fair to say the vast majority of us know exactly what we should be doing – and shouldn’t be – and yet continue on in our destructive ways.

What would it take for us to realize how beautiful, how valuable, how precious our bodies are?

I guarantee you, no matter how old and decrepit your ‘ride’ might be, you know what makes it run. Mountain Dew and donuts would destroy your car. Because it requires a specific fuel to function. And so do we! How we choose to fuel our bodies makes all the difference in the world! And how much more precious are we than a rusty old jalopy (or even a sexy new mustang)?

Our physical health effects our emotional health, which effects our spiritual health, which effects our physical health and our emotional healthy, which…well, you get the point.

“The body becomes the battlefield for the war games of our mind. All the unresolved thoughts and emotions, the negativity we hold on to, show up in the body and makes us sick” Brian Seward, PhD

What we put in our mouths, what we allow to take root in our hearts, and how we use our bodies directly impacts how well we function as an integrated human being.

I don’t know about you, but I want to live the ‘perissos’ life and live it to the best of my ability.

I simply cannot do it with a sick, fatigued, unhealthy body, a faithless heart and an unstable mind.

But on the flip-side of that…imagine the joy of living with all these areas aligned and healthy!

“Our research and amazing new scientific technology are continually adding exciting new evidence that our Great Creator, God, has equipped us with marvelous mechanisms by which, through faith in him, our spiritual beliefs and behaviors can actually help heal us” Harold G. Koenig, M.D., Duke University

The powerful synergy that is created when our minds, our bodies, and our spiritual lives are healthy and growing (note that I didn’t say ‘perfect’!), enable us to experience the fullness of life God intended for us!

Handouts: Food, Glorious Food (Nutrition Basics) ~ Wellness Evaluation: Body, Mind & Spirit~ Get Off Your Blessed Assurance And Get Moving! (Physical Fitness Basics) ~ 10 Commandments of Health and Wellness

Got your handouts printed? Good, let’s move on!

So what now? What do you do with this mass of information I set before you {information we all actually know, we just fail to implement)?

Start small.

What can you do today, tomorrow, this week, that will have a positive impact on your nutrition…your level of activity…your emotions and mental health…your journey with God?

Sit down with a pen and slowly work through the Wellness Evaluation. Start a journal. Plan and dream. What are your goals? What does your heart desire in each of these areas? What do you want to see changed? What baby steps can you take toward those goals?

There’s a story that tells of tribal hunters who, in their effort to catch monkeys, would nail a coconut to the trunk of a tree, drilling a hole just large enough for a monkey to insert his hand, and then insert a banana. What a brilliant plan! The silly monkey would come along, reach in, grab the banana and – with his tightly-clenched fist stuck inside the coconut – await his fate.

All it had to do to escape – and get free – was let go of the banana and pull out it’s hand. The short-sighted, impulsive nature of the monkey demanded it’s banana, at the expense of it’s life.

So friend, I ask you…what soggy, coconut-scented banana are you clinging to?

What counterfeit are you settling for that now has you stuck? What do you need to let go of that is holding you captive to a less-than-abundant life?

Think about it.

I have good news for you. The One who so lovingly created you, and who has magnificently delightful plans for you, wants you healthy and whole even more than you want it. What a thought!

Know that your wellness is not a vain pursuit…it’s the difference between surviving and thriving.

And YOU were made to thrive!

“May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together - spirit, soul, and body - and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Visit Joy at her blog, Simply Bloom:

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Only a few days left to enter the giveaway!!

This week we're giving away a $25.00 gift certificate from our sponsor, "The Rusted Chain," to one of you!

The rusted chain offers custom hand stamped jewelry, full of meaning and inspiration! A bit rustic, a bit elegant, and a lot gorgeous!

(I'll accumulate comments from all posts this week, so if you comment each day you increase your chances of winning)

We'll choose one winner and announce it here next Monday, May 30/11!

______________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 27

2011-03-27T21:54:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 27

Guest contributor, Olivia from Her Noble Character

7 Reasons Why I Exercise in the Morning:

Since I am not a personal trainer, there could be much more said on this topic than I am able to share. But here are 7 reasons why I like to fit workouts in early on in the day.

I get it over with. I don't particularly like to exercise while I'm doing it. I like that it helps me to feel and look my best. I like knowing that I'm taking care of my body in ways that might not even be obvious for years. I like persevering through a good but hard thing, because it allows me to practice the discipline of self-control. But the hard work of exercise itself? Truthfully, I want to be done and enjoy the rest of my day without it.
It helps my mood and energy, keeping me in a "This is going to be a productive day" mentality. Unless I really over-exert myself working out (and then want to just lie around like I'm dying), I'm ready to move on to the next task of the day.
For me, I'm more motivated to be healthy at the beginning of the day. Unhealthy options are less attractive then, because the day is young, and I'm optimistic about being healthy that day. I'm much more likely to follow through with a workout scheduled in the morning than with one that I hope to get to in the afternoon or evening.
Things come up. Life happens. It's never guaranteed that I'll get to my exercise at all on any given day, but generally there are fewer things competing for my time and attention early on. My schedule is still probably going to be on track as of my morning workout.
I get a better grasp on how I should eat for the rest of the day. Sometimes, as I eat, I factor in the exercise I assume will happen eventually. "I can eat a few cookies because I am going to exercise later." First of all, something might come up keeping that exercise from ever happening, which breaks down my excuse for eating too much. Secondly, if I eat the cookies, my body is probably going to feel LESS likely to exercise, even if I have the chance. I'm probably just going to want more cookies! When I think this way, I kind of assume the same risks as a person getting into credit card debt for some new shoes. I hope I'm able to pay for them in time once I've taken care of the rest of my necessary expenses, and I hope I didn't just fuel any shopaholic tendencies that will quickly make the problem even worse.
I am more likely to actually follow through with how I should eat for the rest of the day! Why would I want to ruin the hard work I went through earlier? It's easier to remember that 300 empty calories are hard to undo when you've just burned off 300 calories earlier that day.
It's easier! I find that if I've had a nutritious breakfast that's going to help me as I exercise, I am able to do the work if I can just get started. One of my favorites is to have oatmeal with peanut butter about an hour before my workout, a wonderful idea I got from Comfy in the Kitchen. Then, wanting to quit the exercise I'm doing is primarily a mental thing. Sometimes by the time an afternoon or evening workout rolls along, I've already eaten things that have not prepared my body well to exert itself, and I don't feel well during my workout. Generally my body's "fuel" is better when I'm prepared to exercise in the morning.

Since self-control is one of the qualities young women need to be developing (Titus 2:4-5), I am always up for new ways to improve mine. Exercising is one of the ways I practice saying no to my flesh in a very basic way, and yes to something that God considers to be of some value (1 Timothy 4:8). Thankfully, self-control is a fruit that will be produced in my life with the Holy Spirit's power, not my own (Galatians 5:22-23). I'm thankful that He is always working.

Visit Olivia at her blog, Her Noble Character:

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You can still enter this weeks giveaway!!

This week we're giving away a $25.00 gift certificate from our sponsor, "The Rusted Chain," to one of you!

The rusted chain offers custom hand stamped jewelry, full of meaning and inspiration! A bit rustic, a bit elegant, and a lot gorgeous!

(I'll accumulate comments from all posts this week, so if you comment each day you increase your chances of winning)

We'll choose one winner and announce it here next Monday, May 30/11!

______________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 26

2011-03-26T19:49:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 26

Guest blogger, Clare from Peak 313 Fitness

Self Discipline. Those 2 words evoke different responses in people. For some it is everything they live for. It is a basic thread to their existence. It encompasses everything from health, to spiritual, to financial areas in their lives. When the going gets tough, the tough gets... disciplined!

Yet for others, the words "self discipline" evoke a more, negative tone. It represents failure. It represents being less than someone else. It represents everything you are not. In fact, you may even resent those who are self disciplined.

I, personally, love the concept of self discipline. For me, it's dying to my desires. It's proving that I can beat the odds. It's a way to keep myself "sharp" in life. I will go out on a limb here and say that some people have the natural bend of being disciplined. It generally has come naturally to me, yet for so many women who I talk to, it's such a struggle. My heart goes out to them because the desire in their heart is there, but the ability to follow through to completion is not for whatever reason.

One of the biggest reasons I love self discipline is that it bleeds over into many areas of my life. I am one who likes the biggest bang for their buck! I find that when I'm self-disciplined in one area of life---let's say in healthy eating--then it's much easier for me to exercise consistently. If I'm self-disciplined in reading God's word, then it's much easier for me to pray and serve my family. If I'm disciplined in keeping my physical wants (ahem, clothes!) in check, then it's much easier for me to give to others.

Just like anything in life, discipline requires some growing pains. Candace mentions that when you are in the first three days of a change program, that it's difficult. When you start a new exercise routine, doesn't it take a little time to stop hurting so much?! LOL! When you are ridding "junk food" from your life, doesn't your body CRAVE it for a few days? When you are disciplining your mind to think positive things about your body, don't you have to fight the natural urge to think negatively?

I have a real life, recent story to tell you about. When we started the "65 days to Reshaping It All" challenge, I decided that I was going to stop eating after 7pm. The main reason was that my night eating was getting sloppy. I was mindlessly putting food in my mouth that I didn't need and it was taking a toll on my body!! You would not believe how HUNGRY I was the first 4 or 5 nights. My belly would literally growl out loud and I would FIGHT going to the kitchen. Some nights I turned in early and other nights I drank water and tried to distract myself. But I did it (and I'm still doing it!) The feeling of accomplishment each morning was amazing and that feeling kept me going for the next night and next etc..(It also helps that I'm seeing results because of it!)

The other thing that kept me going was accountability. I had the wonderful ladies from my blog, Peak313, and from all of you, here at Reshaping It All to check in with. I knew that I'd have to "fess up" if I had messed up!! That in itself was enough to stop the eating!

Self-discipline is rough. Some seasons of life will be rougher than others. Some areas of your life will be harder to keep in check than others. Get a partner! Keep yourself involved with someone who will be there to help you out.

Finally, let's not forget what God's Word says about discipline. If God has something to say about it, then I want to hear it!
I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:27
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. ~ Hebrews 12:11
Candace finishes the chapter with this thought. "Self-discipline is an exercise that strengthens us over time when we continue to implement it. It puts our spirit in control of our flesh and keeps putting it there until the flesh learns to follow." pg102

If you have Reshaping It All, then I challenge you to do the exercise on pages 104 and 105. This is SO SO EXCELLENT! Don't let self-discipline be a negative word that is only associated with your health (or lack thereof). Allow it to bleed into other areas of your life and embrace it with the power and purpose that God has given it to us for!!

Visit Clare at her blog, Peak313 Fitness, or follow her on twitter (@peak313):

_______________________________________________

Enter this weeks giveaway!!

This week we're giving away a $25.00 gift certificate from our sponsor, "The Rusted Chain," to one of you!

The rusted chain offers custom hand stamped jewelry, full of meaning and inspiration! A bit rustic, a bit elegant, and a lot gorgeous!

(I'll accumulate comments from all posts this week, so if you comment each day you increase your chances of winning)

We'll choose one winner and announce it here next Monday, May 30/11!

______________________________________________

Post a Comment | Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 25

2011-03-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 25

Watch Candace sharing her faith and her Reshaping it All journey on Fox & Friends!

And here is an after show interview that is more indepth. Go God!!

______________________________________________

This weeks giveaway!!

This week we're giving away a $25.00 gift certificate from our sponsor, "The Rusted Chain," to one of you!

The rusted chain offers custom hand stamped jewelry, full of meaning and inspiration! A bit rustic, a bit elegant, and a lot gorgeous!

(I'll accumulate comments from all posts this week, so if you comment each day you increase your chances of winning)

We'll choose one winner and announce it here next Monday, May 30/11!

______________________________________________

Post a Comment
Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 24

2011-03-24T21:51:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 24

By Darlene Schacht, Co-author of Reshaping it All

After ten years, I can finally say with confidence that I am a lifetime member of "Reshaping it All." Being a lifetime member doesn’t mean that I’m so tiny I slip back into my high school jeans, nor does it mean that I don’t struggle with the desire to eat more often than I should. What it does mean to me is that I have been walking this journey day after day, year after year for over a decade.

I’m averaged-sized, and while I’d love to be micro-mini-sized, so I’d look adorable in baby doll dresses and swimsuits, I’m not. I walk and I fall; I lose and I gain. Three steps forward—two steps back. But slowly and surely I’m getting there.

I wear a size 7 pants, but if I shop at the “generous” clothing stores that stroke my ego with rock bottom numbers, I might squeeze into a size 4.

I haven’t always been this way. I wore plus-sized clothing in my mid-twenties through to my early-thirties, but I’ve come a long way, and I’m not going back!

One day as I was reaching into the fridge for some strawberries, a revelation came to mind. It was then—during that moment of choice—that I realized a key factor which has kept me from gaining back all the weight.

I had tried diets before. I had joined reputable groups. I had practiced things that I’ve learned. But the one ingredient I had been missing was this: persistence.

When you combine persistence with the grace of God, you become a dynamic living force. It’s as simple as that. Stop giving up when the going gets tough, and for once in your life, make it happen. This lesson in persistence is one to be applied to every area of our lives whether it be healthy eating, working out our marriage or trusting the Lord through a trial.

Next time you feel a hint of discouragement dragging you down, remember Bartimaeus the blind man who sat by the side of the road. The Bible tells us that many rebuked him, telling him to be quiet, but instead of heading their voice, he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The result of his persistence was the restoration of his sight. (Mark 10:46-52)

And look at Zacchaeus—a wee little man with great persistence. The Bible tells us that he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. His determination resulted in a personal visit from Him that day. Can you imagine? We get excited about winning a celebrity lunch date, but this little guy had the Messiah over to his house for tea! Well maybe coffee–who knows for sure.

Then in Mark chapter five we read about a woman with a 12-year issue of blood who pressed through the crowd just to touch the hem of His garment, and immediately she was healed.

Anyone of these people could have given up when the going got tough, but they chose to persist, and in doing so reaped the benefits that perseverance has to offer.

We can only imagine the opportunities that we’ve lost over the course of our lifetime because we gave up just before sunrise.

Ever have one of those weeks where the plateau gets you so low that you give up all together? Have you ever wondered what might have happened if you would have waited one more week? My guess is that the scale would have moved.

And what about those nights when you get so down on yourself because you made a mistake. Have you ever thrown the plan out the window because you didn’t meet your own high level of expectation? We’re not created to be perfect—we’re created to press on:

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 3:12

Stick with it! If it’s been dark for a while, have hope—it could possibly be the last hour of the night. Don’t fall asleep now, and miss the breathtaking sunrise.

Visit me at my blog, Time-Warp Wife, where I empower wives to joyfully serve:

______________________________________________

Time for a giveaway!!

This week we're giving away a $25.00 gift certificate from our sponsor, "The Rusted Chain," to one of you!

The rusted chain offers custom hand stamped jewelry, full of meaning and inspiration! A bit rustic, a bit elegant, and a lot gorgeous!

We'll choose one winner and announce it here next Monday!

______________________________________________

Post a Comment

Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

Reshaping it All - Day 23

2011-03-23T22:59:00.000-07:00

Goals are looming mountains that beckon us to overcome them. We have one goal in mind, which Paul refers to as the "mark for the prize of the high calling," and every step we take in faith brings us one step closer to that goal.

Then there are the smaller goals in life that we pursue like better health, which we talk about in Reshaping it All. That's important as well, but I'm hoping that your journey through Reshaping it All is in line with that final goal so that our lives may glorify God.

How sad it is for those who give up, turn around and climb back down the mountain, because the cost is too high. They'll never experience the reward that those who persevere will once they reach the top. The rich young ruler in Luke 18 is a prime example of that. He was interested in following Christ, but the minute that he was asked to give up something he loved, the Bible tells us that he walked away sorrowful.

In chapter seven Candace offers us four keys that unlock our freedom and empower us to reach our goals:

Willpower
Belief
Decision
Action

Having a desire to live well is one thing, but acting on that desire by living a sacrificial life makes all the difference in winning the race.

There’s a movie starring James Franco that came out on DVD this year called “127 Hours.” Aron Ralston, an experienced twenty-seven-year-old outdoorsman, was on a day’s solitary hike through a remote and narrow Utah canyon when he dislodged an eight-hundred- pound boulder that crushed his right hand and wrist against the canyon wall.

Emerging from the searing pain, Aron found himself completely stuck. No one knew where he was; no one was coming to rescue him. With scant water and food, and a cheap pocketknife his only tool, he eliminated his options one by one. On the fifth night, wracked by delirium and uncontrollable shivers, Aron scratched his epitaph into the rock wall, certain he would not see daylight. (Description from Amazon)

Like the rich young ruler, Aron started out with a will to live, but it wasn’t until the sixth day that he made a life changing decision and puts his will into action, thus gaining his life.

And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
~ Matthew 5:30, KJV

Where are you on your journey to reshape it all? Are you toying with the idea of making a change, or are you willing to make a decision that puts that will into action?

We're on day 23, so that means that you have 42 days left to join in our challenge. That's plenty of time to start new habits and put them into practice. Why not join us today?

~ Darlene Schacht, Co-author of Reshaping it All

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Thank you to everyone who participated in our Union28 giveaway! I wish I could have chosen all of you, but had to pick one.

Congratulations to Misty Ohnemus who won a hoodie or t-shirt from Union28 and an extra copy of Reshaping it All for a friend!!

We'll announce another giveaway tomorrow. So come back then!!
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Reshaping it All - Day 22

2011-03-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 22

Simple and Healthy Santa Fe Salad - by Janelle Nehrenz of Comfy in the Kitchen

This flavorful salad can be made in a hurry. Who says fast food can't be healthy? This is something I typically eat for lunch and love.

Toss mixed greens with olive oil, vinegar, fresh ground pepper and salt to taste.

Add corn, salsa, and black beans. Whala! Veggies, protein, and carbs all in one dish.

(1 serving)

Combine:

2 cups of mixed greens

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp red wine vinegar

freshly ground pepper/salt to taste

Topping:

2 Tbsp fresh salsa

2 Tbsp black beans

2 Tbs sweet corn

For more delicious recipes, visit Janelle at her blog:

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Reshaping it All - Day 21

2011-03-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 21

Guest contributor, Olivia from Her Noble Character

Visit Olivia at her website:

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Only two days left to enter the contest for the Union 28 hoodie/tshirt and a copy of Reshaping it All!! Visit day 18 for details.

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Reshaping it All - Day 20

2011-03-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 20!

On to day 20, which means that we are one day short of three weeks. I'm starting to see incredible results already, and I hope you are too. But while many of us are excited about seeing a bit of weight some off, I want to remind us of something Candace wrote in chapter 6, page 66:

Clothes, makeup, hair, weight, and wardrobe--let's keep it all in perspective. It's fun to look pretty and to feel good while doing it, but I often remind myself that this outer shell is simply an envelope for my spirit. The contenst are precious, eternal, and costly, bought with a price, and the envelope has been fashioned by the world's greatest Designer, the Creator Himself. We are each God's one-of-a-kind design, and there isn't a single person in this world that's a match.
~ Candace Cameron Bure, Reshaping it All, page 66.

Speaking of one-of-a-kind designs, I'd love to introduce you to Clara. Clara is a follower of Jesus, a pastor's wife, and a mommy who is devoted to an ever-changing blueprint and determined to be healthy.

Her determination and encouragement is inspiring!

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Guest Writer - Clara from "Changing My Blueprint."

So this past week I have sort of lost my mojo. "What???" you exclaim. How is this possible?

I'll tell you how. LIFE! LACK OF PLANNING! LACK OF CONFIDENCE! LACK OF MOJO! {yes, I'm yelling, but in a 'frustrated at myself' way, not at you, ok? ok}

And it is incredible to me that even 20 months and almost 90 pounds lost into my journey to better health I struggle just like anyone else. It's not at all that I think I'm above it. I've pondered this for awhile this week. And thinking through this really taught me something.

There is no end to this race. There really isn't a finish line. I mean, there are major celebrations along the way. Like the first 20 pounds...then 50 pounds down, then reaching Onederland once again...but even when I hit 100 pounds down {soon, ahem} I still won't have "arrived."

Even when I hit my goal weight of 160 (exactly 37 pounds from here) I still will not have "arrived."

And I am learning to be OK with that.

Because I didn't become the girl in the purple shirt overnight. {see my before picture below} And it was continuous unhealthy behavior that got me there.

So the only thing that will KEEP me from ever being that girl again is continuous healthy behavior.

Wow, I kill me with all of this logic.

But why is it so hard, when really it sounds so simple? Chew on that calorie-free logic.

I, we, everyone - we must stop over-complicating healthy choices. At the end of the day it is about making the best choices to achieve your goals.

If you are at a red light and turning left will get you to your destination about 2 miles sooner, why in the world do you turn right?

When shopping for a specific recipe, would you purposely choose the wrong ingredient?

If you need a black sweater for your teal glitter dress, what would possess you to purchase a bright orange and purple polka-dotted one?

My point in this rant is to show you, and remind ME that it is all about making the choices that will lead you to your goals, every day. It is the every day small choices that make huge changes in your health in the long run.

The choice to exercise. The choice to eat healthy most of the time. The choice to NOT get seconds at the church dinner. The choice to drink water. The choice to get enough sleep.

Plain and SIMPLE.

Now I'm off to do my food reporting on SparkPeople for the day to see what I have left for dinner. And I'm going to make the choices that will allow me to finish in range. Then I'm going to be sure my menu plan and lunch plan is ready for the week. And then I'm going to document the exercise/calories I plan to burn each day in my phone with annoying reminders. Mapping it all out.

And I'm going to make the best choices I can this week.

The ones that will lead me TO my goal and not AWAY from it.

Because that girl in the purple shirt, left side of this picture, was not happy with herself. She became physically nauseated when she saw this picture for the first time. As you can see I've changed a great deal on the outside...but I've also changed on the inside too. I never want to be her again. And I don't plan to.

Who's with me?

Visit Clara at her website: Changing My Blueprint

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Reshaping it All - Day 19

2011-03-18T21:22:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 19

I can't believe it's day 19 already!! We're on to chapter six, the chapter where Candace encourages us to accept who we are with the reminder that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. On page 71 she writes:

God created each one of us in our own unique way. Just like a snowflake we all hold a blueprint that differs one from another. It's great to lose weight and keep our bodies healthy and strong, but it's also important that we appreciate who we are today--with or without extra pounds. ~ Candace Cameron Bure, Reshaping it All

With that thought in mind, I'd love to invite you to read a post that I wrote this week called, "Learning to Smile Again." The message speaks to me, and I know that it will also speak to many of you. Whether you are hiding behind your weight, your-less-than-perfect smile, or a disability this letter will bring your comfort:

Click to read: Learning to Smile Again

And if you didn't get a chance to see this video yet, here's a new video of Candace being interviewed by Parez Hilton. I love the way she shares her faith so boldly! Go God!

Two more things...

If you are looking for a healthy and refreshing treat to make for you and the kids, check out my Banana-Strawberry Ice Pops. They are easy, fun to make, and delicious!!

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You still have a few days left to enter our giveaway!!

"Union 28!!" is giving us one of their hoodies (or a tshirt if you prefer).

And I'm personally adding to this giveaway by offering the winner a copy of Reshaping it All to give to a friend!!

Want to win? Here's all you have to do to enter:

Send a photo of yourself with a copy of Reshaping it All to darlene[at]darleneschacht[dot]net and we will randomly choose one entry and announce the winner next Monday the 23rd. Paper back or digital reader. Either one is awesome!

Please note that we may choose to use your photos on this website, so if you don't want it to appear online, you must let us know.

This one is for Canada and US only please.

Don't have a copy of the book yet? You can will one at The Legacy of Home!! Visit her site for details.

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Reshaping it All - Day 18

2011-03-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 18

In chapter 5, page 62, Candace shares a Bible verse from Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV):

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

I have felt the power of this strength in the "65 Days to Reshaping it All" challenge as I am surrounded by women who encourage me to press on. But most importantly I feel the strength of this power when broken and discouraged I lay my burden as the foot of my Savior and rely on His strength to bring me through.

I enjoyed this thought by Charity Gordon, because she is honest about her struggle. I love that she is transparent enough to say, "I must confess I am not doing a very good job," but wise enough to see that prayer will make a difference...

How often do I ask my heavenly Father for help? How am I starting my morning? Do I give Him my day when I rise? Do I seek Him in all things? What about before I go to sleep do I talk with my savior? Do I ever come to my heavenly father with a thankful heart. During my reshaping it all I hope to grow in faith and become more prayerful. May we be like a bean sprout, (when planted in prayer and word), grow all over the place. Inside and out, here and there....come on lets sprout. ~ Confessions of a Dieter

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Have you entered our giveaway yet?

"Union 28!!" is giving away one of their gorgeous hoodies (or a tshirt if you prefer).

And I'm personally adding to this giveaway by offering the winner a copy of Reshaping it All to give to a friend!!

Want to win? Here's all you have to do to enter:

Send a photo of yourself with a copy of Reshaping it All to darlene[at]darleneschacht[dot]net and we will randomly choose one entry and announce the winner next Monday the 23rd. Paper back or digital reader. Either one is awesome!

Please note that we may choose to use your photos on this website, so if you don't want it to appear online, you must let us know.

This one is for Canada and US only please.

Don't have a copy of the book yet? You can will one at The Legacy of Home!! Visit her site for details.

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Reshaping it All - Day 17

2011-03-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 17

Janelle from Comfy in the Kitchen whips up a few of Candace's recipes!!

Ground turkey breast, fresh salsa (I had this already made up, for Candace's salsa see below), flour tortillas, lettuce, finely shredded cheddar cheese

(black beans-they are in the salsa)

In a large skillet, brown ground turkey.

Warm tortillas on a plate covered with a paper towel for 1 min in the microwave

Turkey Taco Night! A fun make-your-own buffet!

Delicious!

My entire family loved these!!

Turkey Tacos

(Serves 4)

1 lb ground turkey (or lean beef)

1 15 1/2 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 package flour tortillas

shredded lettuce

tomatoes diced

1 bag (2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese of Mexican cheese blend

Brown ground turkey in a pan over medium heat until cooked through.
Heat beans as directed. Warm tortillas on a covered dish in microwave for one minute.
Add meat, beans, salsa, lettuce, and cheese. Enjoy!

Candace's Fresh Salsa

1 diced tomato

1/4 cup chopped red onion

2 Tbs chopped cilantro

salt and pepper to taste

This is just one of many healthy and delicious recipes in
Reshaping it All by Candace Cameron Bure and Darlene Schacht.

Turkey Tacos are featured on p. 36 "From my Stove to Yours".

For more delicious recipes, visit Janelle at her website, Comfy in the Kitchen:

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Time for a special giveaway from one of our sponsors, "Union 28!!"

They are giving away one of their gorgeous hoodies (or a tshirt if you prefer).

And I'll personally add to this giveaway by offering you a copy of Reshaping it All to give to a friend!!!

Want to win? Here's all you have to do to enter:

Send a photo of yourself with a copy of Reshaping it All to darlene[at]darleneschacht[dot]net and we will randomly choose one entry and announce the winner next Monday the 23rd. Paper back or digital reader. Either one is awesome!

Please note that we may choose to use your photos on this website, so if you don't want it to appear online, you must let us know.

This one is for Canada and US only please.

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And let's not forget that are a several other giveaways going on right now too!! If you haven't entered them yet, here are the details:

"Thirsty" is giving away a digital camera!! Visit her site for details!!
You still have time to win one of three copies of Reshaping it All at "Operation: Getting Wendy Healthy." Enter before Friday!
And The Rusted Chain is currently running a giveaway of jewelry and a signed copy of Reshaping it All!!! Visit her site for details.

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Reshaping it All - Day 16

2011-03-15T19:50:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 16

Over the weekend, I heard a few of you saying that since the week was stressful and busy, you managed to fall off the wagon. I understand that, but the question for you is this: are you willing to pick yourself up off the ground and get back in the race?

Brick walls are something we all come up against. In fact stumbling is a natural part of any change plan. But the way to land on your feet after a fall is to ignore the negative messages and keep your thoughts on the goal ahead.

Don't focus on what happened yesterday--focus on what you can change today. At this very moment, you are no more a failure than anyone else. You still have the ability to choose well today, and if you apply yourself well--you will.

Consider this... if a man is running a marathon and he stumbles at the three mile mark, does he go back to the starting line to continue the race, or does he pick himself up and move on from there? He moves on from the three mile mark, right?

In much the same way, you are NOT back to square one. If you did well for 12 days and had one rough weekend--so what? Is God keeping score of the brownies you ate? Not likely--and neither are we. Stumble or soar, we're in this together for 65 days!

Now listen up, ladies! Next time you're mindlessly looking for something to eat, take a look at the list on page 61 and ask if any of those things are eating at you.

Hunger, anger, emotion, and stress can easily knock us off of our game, so be aware of that pit before you fall in and refuse to let these emotions get in the way of your goals.

Darlene Schacht, co-author of Reshaping it All

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As I mentioned previously, I still had all of the lost comments in my inbox, so I was able to combine those with new ones. Having 82 entries in total, I went to random.org and punched in the numbers. The winning entry was #32, which is SandyN.

Congratulations, Sandy!! You have won a $25.00 Amazon gift certificate.

Thank you to our sponsor Art Bookbindery, "Empowering Writers to Self Publish."

Sandy, please email me at darlene[at]darleneschacht.net so I can send the Amazon gift certificate out to you.

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Reshaping it All - Day 15

2011-03-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

We're finishing up chapter four today, and since chapter four is all about mapping out a "plan," I hope that you were able to decide on one that you will stick to for life.

While Reshaping it All isn't a diet plan, it is a motivational tool that encourages you to embrace a healthy lifestyle and live in moderation.

Whether you're going this route or choosing a path of your own, here is Candace's plan in a nutshell:

Stop eating when you're satisfied.
Don't eat fried food or traditional fast food.
Watch your daily intake (from cheeses and cream-based foods).
Don't drink soda pop or sugar drinks.
Eat lots of fresh veggies, fruit, and lean proteins.
Keep desserts to a few bites.
Snack on nuts (seven to ten).
Drink lots of water.
Get some exercise!

My favorite verse in Reshaping it All is this, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." ~ 1 Corinthians 6:12

Since God has given us life and the things that pertain to it, it's okay to enjoy ourselves. The problem resides when we are controlled by those things we enjoy. Take chocolate brownies for instance. There's nothing wrong with having a little piece every now and then, but if our appetite has control over us to the point where we can't stop at one piece then our flesh is ruling our spirit. Not good.

Candace encourages us to choose a plan that includes an occasional treat, while our focus is on living a life of moderation that is pleasing to the Lord. This doesn't mean that we all be a size two, in fact you might be a very healthy size twelve--that's okay. But I do pray that all of us are seeking to reshape our bodies from the inside out, including an intimate relationship with the Lord. Our bodies are crying out to be filled, we are hungry and thirsty for something, and that something will never give life-lasting results unless we seek to be quenched from within.

For those who are reading along with us, we are doing two chapters/week. We start a new chapter every Monday and Thursday.

Reading Schedule - Two Chapters/Week

Monday	May 2	Chapter 1
Thursday	May 5	Chapter 2
Monday	May 9	Chapter 3
Thursday	May 12	Chapter 4
Monday	May 16	Chapter 5
Thursday	May 19	Chapter 6
Monday	May 23	Chapter 7
Thursday	May 26	Chapter 8
Monday	May 30	Chapter 9
Thursday	June 2	Chapter 10
Monday	June 6	Chapter 11
Thursday	June 9	Chapter 12
Monday	June 13	Chapter 13
Thursday	June 16	Chapter 14
Monday	June 20	Chapter 15
Thursday	June 23	Chapter 16
Monday	June 27	Chapter 17
Thursday	June 30	Chapter 18
Monday	July 4	Chapter 19

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There's still time to enter our giveaway!!! Today is the last day for your chance to win a $25.00 give certificate for Amazon. View this post to enter: Click here Entries close at 7pm Sunday (May 15/11).

And don't forget that The Rusted Chain is giving away a $25 gift certificate to and an autographed copy of Reshaping It All! I love this giveaway!! Visit The Rusted Chain to enter!!

And...there's a HUGE "Reshaping it All" giveaway at "Thirsty" but I won't tell you what it is--I'll let Missie tell you!! Head over there and enter the draw!

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Reshaping it All - Day 14

2011-03-14T22:14:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 14

While we're reshaping our bodies there may be other areas of our lives that need some reshaping too. In fact I have a laundry room that's in big need of makeover!

In chapter four, Candace teaches us to tackle things by accessing a four step plan.

What are the four steps? You can find out by watching Candace reshape her closet. Here's a cute video that I pulled out of the archives from this past January!!

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The Rusted Chain is giving away a $25 gift certificate to and an autographed copy of Reshaping It All! Visit The Rusted Chain to enter!!

You still have time to enter our giveaway for a $25.00 gift certificate for Amazon!! Visit our previous post to enter.

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Reshaping it All - Day 13

2011-03-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

Reshaping it All - Day 13

Note: please also read the post below this for important information.*

Guest writer, Clare from Peak313 Fitness

"Failing to plan is planning to fail." Have you heard that phrase before? In chapter 4 of Reshaping it All Candace and Darlene discuss this in detail. Check out the video below to see a time in my life when I needed a goal and plan. ~ Clare

Set those goals ladies! Then share those goals!! Get a friend and let them keep you accountable!!

Visit Clare at her blog, Peak313 Fitness, or follow her on twitter (@peak313):

There were some awesome giveaways that I wanted to announce, but with the issue that so many bloggers have had this week, we are waiting for their posts to return. Make sure you check back this weekend, to see if they are up yet.

In the meantime, please see the post below for new details on our Amazon gift certificate giveaway!!!

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The RIA Forum Is Up!!!

2011-03-12T12:21:00.000-08:00

Brand New ~ Our forum is up!!

Share Health and Fitness Tips
Meet and Greet Other Women in the 65 Day Challenge
Encourage One Another in Faith
Read And Share Scripture
Link to your giveaways
Link to your reviews
Challenge Other Readers
Weigh In On Your Progress
Tell us What's For Dinner
Share Quotes From the Book
Feel Free to Add new topics

See you there!!

Reshaping it All - Day 12

2011-03-12T12:09:00.000-08:00

Reshaping it All - Day 12!

Guest writer, Stephanie from Behind Yellow Doors

Welcome to my body- with a current population of 195 pounds currently residing in a size 14 frame. Host to numerous special events including to emotional eating, and addiction to potato chips and diet Pepsi and a weird little quirk of not wanting to do something the moment I know I have to.

Years ago, I was still the same basic me- 80-some pounds heavier and far less honest with myself. I was riding the diet roller coaster trying every fad diet you could imagine, looking for the quickest easiest way to be thin and energetic without moving a muscle or changing a thing about my life.

Somewhere in a secret hiding place in my psyche all I hoped for was to one day wake up, lighter, and fit—Full of energy and self control. The persona I envisioned as someone in shape-- The kind of women you see wearing adorable yoga suits running with her dogs at 6 am while I'm still laying half unconscious in a puddle of my own drool, dreaming of pizza's and double chocolate ice-cream.

I bought the gym membership, got a cute little running suit with shoes to match, loaded my mp3 player with motivating music and went grocery shopping for enough fruit and veggies to feed a small army. My mind was made up—I would be "that girl".

For a few days, I ran my chubby little heart out for 10, 20, 30 second sprints, then walked for 10, 20, 30 minute intervals. I'd crank up the tunes to drown out my own personal embarrassment of how loudly my 285 pounds thumped on the treadmill and how my labored breathing screamed “out of shape fat girl!”

If you ask anyone I know, they'll agree that I said I stopped running after my knee became aggravated, about a week or so into my endeavor. If you ask me to be honest- I didn't have it in me to be "that girl." Sure I wanted the look the part—but work for it? That wasn’t what I signed up for.

I'd love to tell you this is a story about overcoming challenges and rising to the occasion—that I pressed on in the face of adversity and overcame the challenge. Now 80 pounds lighter, I'd love to tell you that I stick my newly thinner frame into a cute little yoga suits with matching sneakers and head out for 6am runs with my dogs—But I wont. This is a true story of my personal defeat. A defeat suffered not through failing to fit into the persona I had projected, but a failure conceived through dishonesty with myself and an unfair goal of what health should look like. It was only once I was honest with myself about who I really was and why; I was able to address the very obstacles that were weighing me down.

Being honest with myself forced the realization that I'm always going to opt for snoring over intense morning exercise, and I'm always going to secretly covet junk food. Being honest with myself meant acknowledging my flaws, admitting what I was willing to sacrifice, and what was non negotiable for me. Change for me would mean thinking outside the box to improve my health while accepting my quirks. The fact is that no amount of cute track suits, new runners, vegetable laden-granola-crunchy diets, treadmills or gym memberships were ever going to make me thin, because I wouldn’t use them.

When I traded in denial for honesty, I traded in my yoga gear for a comfy pair of old worn out blue jeans and crocks, the perfect company for long evening strolls with my nieces and dogs, a hard day working in the yard- or an afternoon of playing catch and skipping rope in the front yard. I traded in huge portions of vegetable laden food which I found unbearable and unsatisfying- for portion control and balance. I traded in my need to become stereotypical image of "healthy granola morning jogger " for a good hard look at myself, my life, and my choices, and a cognizant effort to think outside the yoga suit. And years later, I traded in a size 24 pant, for size 14 and counting.

I applaud and at times still envy those who have the will power and the endurance that I can't seem to conjure up despite my best intentions- but I can only advocate that there is not one single solution, not one single persona that we must embody in order to reshape our lives. Through honesty with ourselves, we can create meaningful plans we can stick to, realistic expectations, and positive change in ourselves both inside and out.

Visit Stephanie at Behind Yellow Doors:

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Reshaping it All - Day 11

2011-03-11T20:27:00.000-08:00

Reshaping it All - Day 11

We're finishing up chapter three, and tomorrow we're on to chapter four!! I'm excited because I know that we already have 10 days behind us, and since they say it takes 21 days to form a new habit--we're half way there!!

Speaking of habits, I've been trying to change both how much I eat, and what I eat. I have lost weight in the past by using portion control, but this time I want more. I've come to realize that feeling good is every bit as important as looking good. My body is a gift from the Lord. It's mine to nurture and care for until I take my last breath, and in doing so I want more than a small waistline--I want to reflect Christ by the moderate life that I lead.

But I'm not out of the woods yet. I'm still craving some of those junk foods that I've let slip over the past few years, and I'm still trying to get a grasp on portion control. It's easy when the food is ho-hum, but when I'm eating something absolutely delicious I struggle to put my fork down!

In "11 Smart Ideas for Weight Loss," Rhonda Hilario-Caguiat of readersdigest.com writes, "It takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that your stomach is filling up, so a feeding frenzy is a sure way to overstuff yourself. Slow down and savor your food."

Agreed! And that's the same message that Candace is giving us at the end of chapter three when she offers 5 practical tips for slowing down and enjoying your dining experience.

While reviewing these again, I realized that I need to practice a few of them more often!

Here they are in a nutshell:

Eye your food first. Decide on a smaller portion and stay with your choice.
Use smaller plates, so you feel like you're having larger portions.
Drink water with your meal to help slow you down.
Relax and engage in conversation while eating.
Chew your food slowly so that you can savor the flavor and give your food time to digest.

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Now... I have a few giveaways to announce!!

Becoming a Woman of God is having a Reshaping it All giveaway at her facebook group. So head over there and get the details on that. Tell her "Darlene Schacht sent you!"

Good Morning Girls has a signed copy of Reshaping it All, so if you haven't entered the draw yet, you still have time!

And come back here tomorrow, because I'll be announcing a giveaway from one of our sponsors!!

(If you have a "Reshaping it All" related giveaway at your site, please let me know. And if it's a good fit for this site, I'd love to mention it here!)

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Reshaping it All - Day 10

2011-03-08T20:06:00.000-08:00

Reshaping it All - Day 10

Guest writer, Courtney from Women Living Well

Discipline is Key!

In Chapter 3 (pg. 32), it says “I’ll hang onto the back of your bike for a while, but soon you’ll be riding alone. There is a place of freedom, when the trying just becomes living. It becomes smooth sailing from that moment on, when you finally have wings to soar.”

For me, this is what "65 Days to Reshaping It All" is all about. I feel like this website is holding the back of my bike while I practice doing the right things. And when the 65 days are up--I am praying that we all soar! That our trying will become living!

For many of us it’s about so much more than the food--it’s about practicing daily habits and discipline. It’s the “daily” part that gets me every time! I can do it for 3 or 4 days, but then my bike tips and falls and I get a scrape. Getting back on the bike again takes courage... remembering how I fell last time makes me question if it’s worth it. And for some of you--you have courageously gotten back on the bike! I am so proud of you!

We are in this together – and as Candace and Darlene lay out clearly in their book, Reshaping it All, we are not alone. God is with us!

Visit Courtney at her blog: Women Living Well

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Reshaping it All - Day 9

2011-03-08T18:42:00.000-08:00

Reshaping it All - Day 9

by Darlene Schacht

We're on to day 10, and I'm already starting to see a change in my skin. Yesterday I was about to put on makeup, when I decided that I looked pretty good! I wanted to enjoy the glow that I'm starting to see. What a difference eating healthy makes. It's been nine days, and I'm already starting to see and feel a change!

Losing weight is one thing, but if you want to achieve a healthy glow like Candace has, then we have to stop treating our bodies like trash cans, and treat them like the holy temple they were created to be.

Moving on to chapter three today we get a background view of Candace's eating habits. By the way she was raised, she'd come to believe that food was one of two things: healthy and tasteless, or unhealthy and delicious.

In Reshaping it All, we learn that there is a better alternative, which is delicious food that works to benefit our bodies. I've definitely been experiencing that this past week and my body is thanking me for it!!!

With a deeper understanding of what works to benefit our bodies, we increase our chance of success.

Healthy food is not the enemy, and neither are treats. When we teach our body to enjoy food in moderation while seeking a balanced diet that includes both fruit and vegetables, we are building a lifestyle change rather than seeking a quick fix.

In laying this foundation of good eating habits, I'm reminded of Matthew 7:24-25:

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

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Reshaping it All - Day 8

2011-03-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

Reshaping it All ~ Day 8!

I've been hearing a lot of you ladies talking and tweeting about healthy home-made fruit smoothies. So when I saw Janelle from Comfy In the Kitchen posting one at her blog, I asked if I could share the recipe with you. She said yes!!! Thank you, Janelle!!

Strawberry-Banana-'n Cream Fruit Smoothies~ By Janelle Nehrenz

(serves 4-5)

Oh, how I love a cool, fresh, fruit smoothie! Make these for breakfast or have them as a treat on a sunny afternoon. Here is a delicious recipe you and your entire family will enjoy! This is a healthier option in place of going out for ice cream or making milkshakes at home, yet still just as satisfying!

Strawberries, ice, bananas, orange juice, vanilla soy milk

Blend well

Serve with a straw and enjoy!

15 Whole Strawberries (approx)

2 Bananas

1 Cup Vanilla Soy Milk

1/2 Cup Orange Juice

2 Cups of Ice

Blend well and enjoy!

For more delicious recipes, visit Janelle at her website:

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Reshaping it All - Day 7

2011-03-07T18:48:00.000-08:00

Reshaping it All ~ Day 7

So, ladies--we're just starting to exercise our resistance muscles and I'm hearing some of you say, "This is tough, but I'm doing it."

Yay!!!! You go, girl!!! Keep on working that muscle of self control, because the more we work it, the stronger it gets!

In chapter 2, Candace offers us six ways to strengthen our resistance muscle. Here they are:

Passing on the junk food aisle in the grocery store.
Making a healthy choice when eating out.
Passing on the goodies at group meetings.
Taking one trip to a buffet instead of two or more.
Eating until you're satisfied rather than stuffed.
Limiting treats to once or twice a week rather than daily.

That should keep us going. Right ladies?

Next time you have the urge to pig out, flip open the book and glean motivation, but don't give up on strength training--press on!

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