Power Thoughts

• “What comes out of your mouth reveals what truly lies in your heart.” Unknown
• ““Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Abraham Lincoln
• “Determine the thing that can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.” Abraham Lincoln

The Giants Win World Series Game One 11-7: So much for the Rangers unbeatable Cliff Lee. (Yahoo!News-The Associated Press)

Change Your Habits, Change Your Life: 7 healthy habits in 7 weeks – Make over your health. Sounds daunting, right? It doesn’t have to be. “The key is to break it down into smaller goals that you can find success with, and build upon them,” says Beth Reardon, a registered dietitian… With our easy plan, you’ll incorporate one new healthy habit each week — so you’ll look and feel healthier in just seven weeks. (KTRE-TV)

1. WEEK 1:  Healthy Habit: Get more z’s. People who got less than five hours of sleep nightly had more than twice the risk of heart disease compared to those who slept seven hours every night. Action Plan: Create a snooze zone — Don’t use your bedroom to pay bills, work or do other things you associate with daytime or stress.
2. WEEK 2:  Healthy Habit: Step it up. 90% of people in the National Weight Control Registry, a database of those who have lost at least 30 pounds and kept it off for at least a year, exercise regularly (on average, about an hour a day). But an active lifestyle isn’t just about your waistline. In a recent study, each hour in front of the TV per day was associated with a 9%-18% increased risk of death from cancer or heart disease. Action Plan: Put on a pedometer and challenge yourself to up your steps every day. Instead of parking as close as possible to the mall, park far away to squeeze in some extra steps.
3. WEEK 3:  Healthy Habit: Start with breakfast. The right breakfast goes a long way. In one study published that cereal fiber improved insulin sensitivity and reduced type-2 diabetes risk in people who were overweight or obese. Action Plan: Eat a bowl of oatmeal topped with walnuts and fresh fruit in the morning. The combination of protein, whole grains and healthy fat will keep blood sugar on an even keel and prevent hunger pangs. Bonus: You’ll do your immune system a favor. “Oatmeal contains compounds called beta glucans, which are a special kind of fiber that have immune-boosting properties,” says Reardon.
4. WEEK 4:  Healthy Habit: Slather on sunscreen. In a recent study about one in five Americans will develop skin cancer. Action Plan: Wear a broad-spectrum (that means it protects against UVA and UVB, both types of dangerous ultraviolet rays) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day. Even when it’s cloudy, the sun still emits dangerous radiation. If you’re an athlete, look for waterproof so you don’t sweat it off. If you have eczema or sensitive skin, seek out a product that is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.
5. WEEK 5: Healthy Habit: Floss regularly. According to one study, men with a history of gum disease were 14% more likely than those with healthy gums to develop cancer or suffered a heart attack because of bacteria in their gums. Action Plan: You know you should floss once in the morning and once at night.
6. WEEK 6:  Healthy Habit: Eat your greens (and reds and purples … ). A colorful diet is one of your best weapons against chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Don’t rely on shortcuts, such as a glass of orange juice.  Action Plan: Up your produce intake by going vegetarian one night a week.
7. WEEK 7:  Healthy Habit: Flex your muscles. Building muscle revs up your metabolism and keeps bone loss at bay.  Action Plan: Save time by doing moves that work multiple muscles at once. Pushups and planks are two exercises that you can do anywhere — no dumbbells required.
8. Keep It Up: According to a recent study, it took 96 volunteers an average of 66 days to form a new habit. That’s two full months of daily practice. So stay committed to as many healthy habits as you can stand; healthy challenges will soon become daily routines.

This is Pam Darnell sharing how she experienced God while hiking to a waterfall. A few short weeks after she shared this at Gardner-Webb University, she passed away from an aggressive for of cancer. Her parents were gracious enough to share this reminder of how much God loves you.