Dinner and a Drink

My hubby is the grill master!

I had some pork set out yesterday for dinner and I knew I was going to cook it on the grill but I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do with it. Then, my hubby said the magic word...

KABOBS!

Even Ori was happy!

*Pause for Praise*

At dinner Octavio announced that starting at the end of this month he will only be required to work Monday - Thursday!!! WooHOO!

Now for a little drink discussion...

*Disclaimer*

Janet asked last week if there were any tips to stop drinking soda. Although I started typing this blog to address only that question, it turned into a rant on my part. So, Janet, aside from the specific articles I linked regarding soda addiction, please don't take any of this as my speaking directly to you. When I say "you" in this blog, I am not talking specifically to you Janet, but to my readers in general .

Also, I am not a medical doctor.

*End Disclaimer*

:)

Soda addiction is pretty common. I'm not talking about an occasional soft drink with dinner. I am talking about always having a can in your hand, not being able to go anywhere without stopping at the gas station to buy one (or two), and keeping one on your bedside table at night just in case you wake up parched.

Most people don't necessarily think they are addicted to it. And since there is so much more attention placed on alcohol, drug, and cigarette addiction, this one just doesn't seem that important.

But your health is important! In fact, it is much, MUCH more important than a sugary drink.

If asked whether you would like a sugary drink or a healthier life, the answer should be easy but I know that it isn't always as easy as it sounds. As with any addiction, you can't really start to fix the problem until you admit you have it in the first place. I have poked a little fun in the past at 12 Step Programs but in all actuality, they make sense.

I will say before I go into any of the other ideas I have found that prayer is going to be the most powerful option. If you are a believer in Him and have faith in Him, Jesus promises that "you will receive whatever you ask in prayer"(Matthew 21:22-23)

I could attempt to scare soda addicts with crazy tales of the acid in soda but they're just not true !

Some of these articles might help move a soda addict in the right direction:

If a description of what soda does to you might turn your head (or stomach) try this or you can look here.

If you are concerned about human rights around the world this one might help

The truth of the matter is if you aren't ready to quit, you won't quit. And the cold turkey approach may work for a few people or work for a while but chances are, it won't stick.

Everyone is always looking for the easiest way to accomplish something. A fad diet, a magic pill, something so that they don't have to do as much to deal with the problem. Well, anyone who has, or has had an addiction knows that it is never easy and it always takes work to overcome it.

You can wake up one day and say to yourself "I want to quit this habit today".

Do you want to quit or do you want to want to quit?

I went through over a year of wanting to want to be healthier before I finally bucked up and did it. I just got so disgusted with my behavior that I finally knew it was either deal with it or continue to be miserable.

When the time comes, and you are focused and ready to overcome your addiction, start slow!

Yesterday I talked about thinking of either what you are moving away from or what you are moving towards.

Make a list of all the things that will begin to disappear once you slowly start to take soda out of your daily life, or make a list of all the things that will return to you once this addiction is taken care of. Then, before you begin the process, spend some time, a week maybe, just focusing on that list. Get your mind ready for the fight.

As far as other ways to overcome this addiction, might I suggest a little bit of what others have already suggested? Do replace Coke with water, but not all at once. If you have a coke with each meal, pick a meal you think will be easiest and substitute Coke with water only for that meal. Maybe try this for a week or so, then add water to another meal, etc.

Lastly, a blog like this is a great place to deal with any obstacle you are working on. My cousin Michele is about the embark on a long journey and is having gastric bypass surgery in a few short weeks (may seem to some as an easy way out but I could not disagree more!). She asked me yesterday if it would bother me if she started journaling online with a blog of her own. Absolutely not! I highly recommend it! My goal here is to inspire others to make changes in their lives. How awesome it would be to be able to catch up on the progress of my readers!

Now I am going to talk specifically to you Janet - You can do this. It may seem like a giant but in reality it is just a soft drink. Take some time to get your mind in the right place and accomplish this goal! and be sure to keep us updated on your progress!

Challenge:

30 Jumping Jacks!

Come on people! GO!

Don't forget to deadline to enter Healthy Chelle's Challenge Challenge is fast approaching! The winner will be drawn this Friday! To all readers and participants in the challenge - I need mailing addresses people!

There are three ways you can participate in Healthy Chelle's Challenge Challenge.

1. Complete a challenge. Every time you leave me a comment saying you have completed a challenge I will enter your name in the drawing. Limit one comment per blog.


2. Send me challenge ideas. Every time you send me a challenge idea I will enter your name in the drawing. NO LIMIT!


3. Get a new friend to leave me a comment. Let your friends know about my blog. Anytime someone leaves a comment and says "so-and-so told me to check out your blog" I will enter that so-and-so's name in the drawing.

The sun is shining on the Highway to Health!