Welcome to my 14-day Heart Health Challenge because this month is Heart Awareness month. If you missed the first day, you can click here and catch up. Today’s challenge is…WATER!
As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person. Proverbs 27:19
There’s something so fascinating yet frightening about staring at our reflection in the water. Maybe because of the likeness staring us in the face, sometimes we see an attribute we don’t care to see. Part of this health challenge is not only strengthening our heart physically but spiritually as well. That may mean a careful self-examination of our true motives. Many times I’ve seen the Lord show me an ugly area of my heart I need to repent of and let him uproot it from my life. It’s painful but necessary.
How often do you examine your heart? If a pool of water can reflect our outer person, then the heart can reflect our inner person.
We read several verses yesterday pertaining to our heart. It’s not always pretty in there. Often, what we think in our mind settles in our heart and seeps out of our mouth. To know our heart is to listen to our words. What kind of words flow from your lips?
Gracious? Kind? Considerate?
Or maybe impatient, rude, or caustic?
Consider your words this weekend and ask the Lord to show you a reflection of your heart. You might be surprised!
Water Is More Than Reflections
As we focus on our health this month, we’re taking a close look at water and how it impacts heart health. Hydration is a necessary component for good health in every season. As our body works to compensate for the changing temperatures, we need to drink water. If consistently drinking water is difficult for you, consider a healthful but salty snack to munch on during the day. Keep a water bottle with you whenever you can because the salt will send you sipping!
Here are 5 benefits of staying hydrated:
- Drinking water promotes a healthy heart.
- An increase in energy and production.
- It improves the health of your skin.
- It aids in digestion.
- Drinking water rids your body of toxins.
How much water should you be drinking? Aim for drinking 8 glasses of water a day. If you aren’t a fan of plain water, try adding sliced fruit for a little spa water, or a squeeze of lemon and a hint of stevia to sweeten it.
FITNESS and FUN CHALLENGE:
The weather makes water exercising challenging right now with the fluctuating temperatures and the still freezing water. We can still make our exercise fun! If you loved yesterday’s challenge (my FAVE!), give it another shot! Or if you’re ready for something new, pop in a yoga video and do some downward dogs. If the weather permits, get outside in that gorgeous weather for a run (or a walk) to get that heart pumping.
FAMILY MEMORY VERSE
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Daily Menu Sample
Breakfast: Breakfast Burritos and Smoothies
Lunch: Tuna fish sandwiches, carrots & hummus, berries
Dinner: Cheeseburger Pie, green beans, corn on the cob, and frozen yogurt for dessert
Cheeseburger Pie (Gluten free)
2 lbs ground beef
2-3 tbsp minced onion
2 tsp garlic powder
mineral salt
pepper
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
Desired toppings (diced tomatoes, olives, or anything else you like on your cheeseburger)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season while browning. Mix mayo, whipping cream, and eggs in a small bowl and set aside. Mix half of the shredded cheese with ground beef and then layer ground beef in a large baking pan. Pour cream mixture evenly over beef. (I like to toss in a can of diced tomatoes here!). Sprinkle remaining cheese over casserole and bake for 25 minutes until cheese is bubbly. Serve with your favorite veggies or a side salad.
I hope you are enjoying this challenge. I’d love to hear from you on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Just tag me @thefarmwyfe and use the hashtags #farmwyfefresh and #14daychallenge. Hop on Instagram and check out yesterday’s challenge pictures and then post some of your own.
Have a wonderful, watery day! Stay hydrated!
If you missed the beginning of our challenges, you can find the Introduction here or Day One Challenge here. Thanks!