Namesake

"I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." --Ephesians 4:1

Read: Ephesians 4

Yesterday my wife Loretta and I visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. I'm still sifting through my mental rolodex of unbelievable moments and monuments. From the quotes, triumphs, walking inside Air Force One and standing at the President's final resting place, there is a tangible specialness to the leader -- past or present -- of the greatest country in the history of mankind.

Well, a story that the First Lady recalled stuck with me all day. As an actress years ago, she was looking for assistance, because somehow she had been listed as an American Communist and was desperate for someone of influence to help clear her name. There entered Ronald Reagan, who at the time was the head of the Screen Actor's Guild-- long before he became the leader of the free world. The rest is such sweet, sweet history.

Later as we left the museum, it dawned on me. I'm not certain how he helped get her name off that list, but I do know he would eventually give her his name. All cleared.

As we start the week, back to work, school and healthy habits, let's remember that we too were in desperate need of someone of influence to help clear our names. But we didn't need the leader of the free world, just the One who freed the world. And that's why we do what we do. We stand for, kneel to and worship with our lives the One who didn't take us off a list, but put our names on one...by giving us His.

Break's over. Welcome back to PrayFit.

--Jimmy Peña

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: BODY TONING SYSTEM You can always browse our fitness page for cool workout ideas to take into the week. But if you're looking for something more structured that can take your body on a journey, we've got just the thing for you. PrayFit 33-Day Body Toning System (Lionsgate) is a more advanced system that toggles between targeted exercises that build lean muscle and high-intensity cardio to blast through body fat. By repeating these intervals, you’ll see results faster than you would by doing cardio alone. This DVD will help you improve steadily each day, building your fitness and your faith. This DVD incorporates toning exercises with “PrayFit Minutes” – encouraging, weekly devotionals aimed at helping you become healthy in body and strong in Spirit.

“If you thought the first DVD was fun, effective and challenging, you won’t believe our newest edition,” says Jimmy Pena. “Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the most respected names in Christian publishing, is exclusively releasing our second DVD through retailers everywhere. We hope you order it and are blessed by the message and workout. Get ready. You are going to love it!”

>> For other PrayFit products to help boost your faith and fitness, click here.

CALL HIM

May 25, 2011Read: Mark 10

"Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him.' So they called to the blind man, 'Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you!' Throwing his cloak aside, he leaped to his feet and came to Jesus." --Mark 10:49-50

Most of us can't fathom what the blind man was going through that day outside of Jericho. What we do know is that he spent his days begging in the dark. In the verses leading up to this one, we learn he's rebuked and told to be quiet for calling out for Jesus. But nothing stirs the blind like a close encounter with a sight giver, and when Jesus finally called for him, he jumped.

Nobody knows what you're battling today either. Though your eyes may work just fine, things like family matters, school issues and work problems might be darkening your spirit and blinding you from all that God wants you to see. But whatever you do, don't sit there quietly. Despite what those around you might say, cry out for Him with every functioning sense, and then cheer up and jump to your feet. He's calling you!

--J.P.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Baked Salmon

Get a dose of heart-healthy omega-3 fats from this easy and delicious salmon dish. All you need is 15 minutes to prep this quick weeknight dinner. Leftovers are delicious over lettuce for lunch the next day.

Ingredients

Serves: 4 1 1/4 pound wild salmon, skin removed, cut into 4 pieces 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard 2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup 1 clove garlic, minced Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place salmon pieces on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Season with salt and pepper; roast for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine mustard, maple syrup, garlic and lemon juice. After 10 minutes of cooking, brush salmon with mixture and return to the oven for 5 minutes or until salmon is just cooked through.

Wild Salmon

Wild caught salmon is a sustainable seafood pick, packed with protein and omega-3 fats — 4 ounces raw has 1,660 milligrams of heart healthy omega-3 fats.

Whole Grain Mustard

You can spot whole grain mustard by the tiny round mustard seeds running through it. Those yellow seeds are packed with iron and selenium; they also contain some omega-3 fats! Despite its low calorie count (only 30 calories per tablespoon), this course mustard adds tangy flavor and texture.

Maple Syrup

It’s not just for pancakes anymore! Maple syrup is an outrageously delicious way to add some natural sweetness to a dish. Make sure to pick 100% pure syrup; there are some imposters out there made from water and corn syrup.

Garlic

This sweet and tangy salmon needs some spice from fresh garlic. There’s some research to support that a compound in garlic called allicin has antibacterial properties. Some other research is looking into how garlic may help lower cholesterol — for now the jury is still out, but it’s delicious either way.

Lemon Juice

Finally, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice balances the sweetness and cuts through some of the strong salmon flavor.

Nutrition Information (per serving):

Calories: 240 Total fat: 9 grams Saturated fat: 1.5 grams Carbohydrates: 14 grams Cholesterol: 50 milligrams Sodium: 125 milligrams Protein: 25 grams

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC is a registered dietitian and is currently a nutrition expert for the Food Network, and has worked as a media spokesperson for Cooking Light Magazine. She has appeared on Good Day Street Talk, Food Network.com, Access Hollywood and GMA Health. Visit her at Dana White Nutrition. You can also visit her blog for more recipes at http://blog.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/.

THE CLOSER

March 23, 2011Read: Matthew 24

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." -- Matthew 24:36

With baseball season approaching, we thought we'd warm everyone up for our favorite time of year by talking about the closer. For those who don't know, the closer is someone who specializes in sealing the deal. See, in baseball you play until the game is over. Not the case in other sports. Take basketball for instance. There's a minute left, you're up five points and rather than drive to the basket, you run out the clock. In football, you take a knee. Soccer, hockey -- you name it. Most major sports have a way to play it safe.

I think we all have the tendency to play it safe on occasion. As Christians, we can get into a mindset of "I'm saved, I can coast, I think I'll run out the clock today." But days can turn into weeks and weeks, years. Which reminds me, in baseball, there is no clock. You don't know how long a life -- I mean -- a game can last. Thus, the need for a closer. Someone who does his best work at the end.

Recently I read that Billy Graham hopes to preach one more time before the Lord takes him home. Even though he struggles to stand, Billy still wants the ball. Talk about a closer.

Now, granted, we're no Billy Grahams, you or I. Nobody's waiting to hear our last words. Or are they? The fact that we're reading this sentence means we're still in the game and the ball is in our hands. So stay warm. We just never know when we'll be needed to take the hill.

--J.P.

5 WAYS TO GET MORE SALMON

Tired of chicken breasts? Add some heart-healthy salmon into your weeknight meal plan. Here are five easy ways to prepare this healthy and sustainable, omega-3-packed fish.

Smoked Prepared smoked salmon is a great alternative when you don’t have time to cook. Wrap around asparagus stalks for a fancy but effortless appetizer or along with a salad for a light meal.

Poached Cooking salmon in a bath of wine, water and spices infuses it with flavor while keeping it tender and flaky. It keeps the calories low, too!

Grilled Thread chunks of skinless salmon onto skewers and grill for dinner in minutes. Sprinkle with a spice rub to add big flavor without marinating.

Wrapped Wrap salmon fillets in foil packets with lemon and fresh herbs for quick cooking and easy clean up.

Seared Finely chop fresh salmon in the food processor for a tasty burger. Flavor it up with sweet pineapple and spicy chili pepper then give a quick sear in a nonstick skillet.

Tell us your favorite recipe and it just might make our next book, PrayFit Family, due out this fall. Leave your recipe in the comments section below.

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.

THE CROWD IS...US

November 23, 2010Read: Mark 10

“Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you!’ Throwing his cloak aside, he leaped to his feet and came to Jesus.” –Mark 10:49-50

No need to adjust your computer screen, that’s indeed the same verse as yesterday’s entry. But I just had to go back to it. Ever since we posted last night, I haven’t been able to get a particular thought out of my head: The crowd knew something. Read the verse again.

Typically, we focus on either the blind man, Bartimaeus, or of course, Jesus. But the crowd’s response has bugged me for nearly 24 hours. The crowd is…us. Why? Because they knew something. They knew what Jesus had the power to do in the blind man’s life. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have reacted as if the beggar had just won the lottery!

Read it again. Of all the thousand voices that were clamoring for Jesus to hear, that of a blind beggar behind all the others sitting on the side of the road found the ear of Jesus, and the crowd knew what that meant. Can’t you just see the pause, the wide eyes, open mouths, and then their whiplash reactions as they run to the one who’s number had just been called?

You and I stand among those who need to heed the call. Read the verse again (last time, I promise). Isn’t Jesus calling everyone? Didn’t He die for all the world? And if we’ve been saved and healed…aren’t we the crowd who knows?

–J.P.

FUN FACT: THE INCREDIBLE EGG

Many of you may think that eggs are just a simple breakfast food -- something that's been on your plate every morning since you can remember. But it is so much more, particularly if you're looking to gain muscle, says Jim Stoppani, PhD, co-author of "PrayFit: Your Guide to a Healthy Body and a Stronger Faith in 28 Days" (Regal Books). Researchers found that subjects who ate three whole eggs per day gained twice as much muscle in 12 weeks as those who only had one egg per day.

EGG FACTS: One whole egg contains 72 calories, 6 grams of protein, 0 grams of carbohydrate and 5 grams of fat. But don't worry -- about 80% of that fat is monounsaturated and saturated fat, which actually aids in the muscle-building process.

Source: www.jimstoppani.com