Join the 2013 National Bike Challenge!

The 2013 National Bike Challenge is a health and wellness initiative organized and presented by the League of American Bicyclists. to encourage people to bike for recreation and transportation. The challenge runs from May 1 to Sept. 30 and is free and open to anyone living in the USA. 

Join the challenge and whether your ride is for fitness, fun or transportation, log in your miles at National Bike Challenge.org. The only miles that don't count are those done indoors. 

If you belong to a local bike club, you can form your own Team and participate in the challenge that way. To join the challenge, register HERE as an individual. You will then have the option of creating or joining a team . Don't know of a local bike club, search here. Businesses and companies can also join and form their own teams. 

There are prizes to be won for accumulating points. Points are accumulated each day you ride at least 1 mile. 

HOW TO EARN POINTS:

Challenge Points accumulate based on miles ridden plus 20 Challenge points for each day that you ride at least 1 mile.

Scoring:

1 mile = 1 Challenge point
20 Challenge points for each day that you ride at least 1 mile

Example:

A rider who commutes 10 miles round-trip would earn 30 points: 20 points for riding, plus 10 points for the 10 miles (1 mile = 1 point).

Rules

FAQ's

Download the app to your phone

This is exciting for me personally because I've traded in using our vehicle for my work to bicycling instead. In 10 weeks, by riding on average 50 miles per week, this has aided me in losing 14 lbs! Since I earn income by cycling (I provide in-home pet care/dog walks), I look at it as being paid to bike and that's exciting motivation!!

LINKS

Guide To Bike Safety
Cycling Skills

Women Bike
2013 Bicycle-Friendly State ranking

Local Bicycle Shops (Winter Haven, Lakeland, Florida)

The Bike Shop of Winter Haven
Road & Trail Bicycles
Bents Cycling and Fitness

Great Book: Brand New! Click on the image.

The History and Benefits of Tea

Many of us enjoy our tea, whether in the morning, afternoon or evening but do you know the history of tea? 

And whether we enjoy black or green tea, there are benefits to both.

See benefits here: Tea Benefits

Stressed-Less Living Online Bible Study begins today

.....and because I am enrolled in this online bible study and enrolled in a private facebook group of ladies doing the same study, I've decided that I am going to share on this blog what I read that impacts me.
I may expound and I may not, just depends on what's going on that day.

I trust the Holy Spirit to speak to each of us as His Sovereignty chooses.

This book is about "Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World". This is exactly what I need and I have hope and faith that as I go through the book and have fellowship with my online sisters-in-Christ, that daily HE will be transforming me inside.

If you've not yet reviewed this book, you can do so by clicking the cover of the book below and review or purchase it online at Amazon

  Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World

Read my 5 Star Review of Tracie's book on Amazon.com: 

 A must-have, must-read, must-share transforming book!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CH I: Discovering The Real Problem

Questions to ask ourselves (my version): and, all of which I am guilty of :(

1. Do I focus moreso on what is wrong in my life and my dissatisfaction with it than I do on what already works well and is good about my life? Pg 18

2. Why am I so vulnerable to feel angry, afflicted, incompetent and hurt through the actions or words of others? Pg 18

3. Am I more often pessimistic, negative and melancholy than thankful, positive and have joy? Pg 18

Quote from the book pg 18: 

" I knew that something had to change; and through God's intervention I gradually came to understand that what had to change....ME." 

Let's read Matthew 5:3 from 2 versions:

Amplified Bible: "Blessed (happy, ^[a]to be envied, and ^[b]spiritually prosperous—^[c]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!"

The Message:  “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."

Quotes I've found and like: 

"Hope has two beautiful daughters Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are. "

Augustine    Works and Biography  

"When God comes down, He removes the immovable difficulties. When God comes down, the impossible becomes reality. God moves on behalf of the one who waits. "

Anonymous 

Let's end with praying and singing "Lord change me from the inside out"

Want A Less-Stressed Life Right About Now? Join the Online Bible Study

Has your life felt like mine from time to time: stressed-mis/managed, overwhelming etc? Do you also experience anxiety, worry, depression, fearfulness and perhaps a sense of 'I'll never get it right'? Do you also feel like you're in this photo above; in a deserted, rugged, island tossed to and fro by winds and waves?
Oh dear Christian Sister, you are not alone and WE are not helpless nor defenseless against these onslaughts in our thoughts and minds and emotions and our 'outer life'.

God never abandons us, He always has wisdom for our situations and He always has a solution to our problems and difficulties. And also, thankfully, He raises up other Sisters who have walked in and through their own difficult, stressful life situations and who have the ability to write about it and share it with the rest of us.

Tracie Miles is one of these Sisters and her book that I've read and written a review on is titled:

Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World

Read my 5 Star Review of Tracie's book on Amazon.com: 

 A must-have, must-read, must-share transforming book!

Have you ever participated in an Online Bible Study of a book? I have and it's such a great support system that offers discussion, privacy, confidentiality, mutual prayer and support and potential new friendships with new Sisters in Christ. What I really appreciated is that instead of doing it alone on my own, I requested to be placed in a facebook group of women where I could share, discuss, ask questions, pray for others and ask for prayer too!

If you have a sense that NOW is that kairos time that you need support, prayer and a new mindset to invite the God of order and peace into your seemingly world of chaos and unrest, I invite and encourage you to sign up to participate in the online bible study of this book to begin on April 7!

Click HERE to register for participation

Stressed-Less Living Facebook Page

I am also signed up to participate so if you do too, please post it on our facebook page so we can support and pray for each other.

Shalom!

Brain Health Fact of The Day: Alcohol & Damage To Brain Cells

Myth: Drinking alcoholic drink ALWAYS kills brain cells

TRUTH: Click HERE

Recommended Link: Top 10 Myths About The Brain

Focus on Emotional and Mental Health

Hi Readers,

In the next weeks I am going to focus lots of posts on Emotional and Mental Health and I will surely also welcome your comments and experiences with Natural Health Supplements as well as utilizing food as 'medicine'. In other words, consuming specific foods that contain specific nutrients that aid in enhancing mood, memory, energy levels, attitude, sleep patterns, positive thoughts and emotions and also chemical imbalances.

I realize there are varied views and opinions on these topics in the improvement of mental, emotional and brain health. That's one reason we can 'discuss' and 'share' these here and on Facebook/Twitter.

I am on a personal quest in these areas and have begun my regimen of supplements and food. Prior to posting anything specific, I am going to journal each day on my perceptions, feelings, reactions and improvements. When I have had adequate time to document improvements and changes, I will then be open about the specifics of my protocol.

Here's a quote from my article, "Lifestyle Wellness":

"Wellness is about TOTAL YOU, but it is not achieved by accident; just picking the examples of wellness that you like and minimizing the other, doesn't work in the long run.

Optimal lifestyle wellness begins with a conscious, intentional decision or choice to assume responsibility for the quality of your life."

It may mean raising your standards above what you have been comfortable with. 

It will require 

 time,
commitment, 
energy, 
motivation and
attitude." 

Passion Flowers -- Central Florida

I am hopeful and expectant of improvements, differences and changes and will welcome all of them, minor or major. Always, my heart's desire is for wellness, wholeness, sustainable lifestyle changes and spiritual growth for ALL of us, so we can be the best we can for those in our lives and ultimately for the glory of God. 

Christ in us is hope; it is the knowledge and faith of His ever-present help in our times of crises, trouble, distress, stress, imbalance, illness and even chemical imbalance. He is our wisdom and the source of all knowledge. I am confident He can lead each one of us in the exact path we should go to journey towards His wellness plan for us.

Will you join me?