For anyone in my generation, we well remember Clara Peller- the old lady from the Wendy's commercials ... "where's the beef?" Well 31 days into 2014 and I can officially say "where's the beef" or the dairy for that matter? Other than a little snuck cheese and the amazingly deliciousness called butter, it's gone from my diet. So far, so good ... though truly a challenge. I've given up meat for 2014! And at least for the 1st 31 days, for the most part I've been Vegan. And why you ask! Well, why not? After having gastric bypass in 2006 and losing close to 150lbs, I've struggled to come up with the right dietary combination for me. After being mostly nauseous for 7 years, I need a change. Rumor is living on ritz crackers and peanut butter is not healthy, so I need other options.
During the summer, I grow a lot of my own food, as I am an avid gardener (when I have time and can stay focused). I find my God time in the garden - see you knew I'd get God in this somehow. Anyway gardening, creating new recipes and watching people eat my food are my passions. So a diet based on veggies, fruits and grains makes sense, at least for me. Yes, yes, yes I still cook meat. My marriage is also my passion and I'd like to stay married.
My other 2014 challenge is to write more, blog more. I see God everywhere. In the big, in the little. For me capturing those sightings in writing, freeze them into my memory. Writing it, expressing it, sharing it helps me process what I see and what He is showing me on a daily basis. Minute by minute He guides me, shows me, speaks to me. Minute by minute He feeds into my life. Writing it, helps me minute by minute to acknowledge Him and to be grateful.
Today I'm sitting on a balcony, 19 floors up overlooking the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Today I see God. Yesterday I sat poolside, it was a bit harder, maybe God likes balconies too. I almost want to make some cheesy comparison of Garden of Eden and those who ate the apple, and those who didn't! Ha! Yeah, too much. But it's amazing to observe the beauty of Gods creation in two ways. To the right, His pure creation - the crystal clear blue green sea as it washes up on stark white sand. You never understand the color Azure until you see the Caribbean Sea. Translucent shades of blue, green and aqua that shimmer with color. Something only God could envision first. To the left, a marina filled with catamarans, speedboats, yachts and massive cruise ships that to the naked eye rival the height of the hotels. Something only man could envision but could only create thru God-given giftedness. Below me are pools of dolphins performing for spectators, a mile-long lazy river - bright blue inner tubes floating along, some empty, most full and the occasional double tube, huge pools of water each accompanied by rows and rows of lounge chairs kept company by guests soaking in the balmy weather and tropical breezes. It's easy to see Gods amazing blessings that at times we are so busy enjoying, we forget to be grateful or even to throw out a wow! Thanks!
I sat poolside and tried to wrap my head around Gods creation, almost got it just as the guy in the translucent, or is that transparent, silvery blue speedo with the six-pack beer belly sauntered by. Whoops lost my God vision (and almost my lunch) and went back to people watching.
So today, 19 floors above the people, overlooking it all, it's easier to see God. Of course eventually I have to come back out of my Caribbean pink tower. If for no other reason than to find some vegetarian food to eat, as I try to get used to and embrace fruits and veggies.
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