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THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION

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THE ACT TO FOLLOW

June 22, 2011Read: Luke 3

…one is coming who is more powerful than I, and I’m not worthy to untie his sandal straps.” –Luke 3:16

Sitting in a music studio recently, I had the unique privilege of listening to a young, talented band who opens the show for another very popular group of musicians. Their task is simple: set the stage and prepare the audience for the main attraction. You know, something tells me John the Baptist would understand their job. It’s a role he played until the day he died.

Sitting there listening to them, I got to thinking about John; what he said, how he acted. But I think of all his many traits, his best quality was knowing it wasn’t his show; that the act to follow was really the act to follow.

Yes indeed, John showed us that our primary job is to invite a crowd, pull back the curtain and get out of the way.

–J.P.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Arugula Pesto

Enliven your pasta repertoire with this healthier summer sauce from PrayFit and Food Network contributor Dana Angelo White

Yield: 1 cup

Ingredients: 3 cups fresh arugula 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts Juice and zest of a lemon 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon each kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Combine arugula, garlic, pine nuts, lemon juice, zest, salt and pepper in a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse until smooth. With the machine on, slowly pour in olive oil. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to one week.

Nutrition Info (per tablespoon):

Calories: 76 Total Fat: 8 grams Saturated Fat: 1 gram Total Carbohydrate: 1 gram Protein: 0 gram Sodium: 36 milligrams Cholesterol: 0 milligrams Fiber: 0 grams

>> BOOKS & GEAR: Structured workouts, detailed meal plans and 56 daily devotionals highlight our book “PrayFit: Your Guide to a Healthy Body and a Stronger Faith in 28 Days.” Order yours at our online store today, or pick up a hat, shirt or wristband for your faith-and-fitness minded loved ones.

 

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SIDE SHOW

May 11, 2011Read: Psalm 148

"Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name is exalted..." --Psalm 148:13

"The kid's got skills," I said to myself as I sat at a traffic light. Waiting my turn, I looked to my right to see this kid on the corner. He was dancing with one of those big cardboard ads, flipping and turning it with ease. Effortlessly, he'd toss it up and catch without even looking. He had all the drivers mesmerized. He probably flipped it a dozen times while I sat there and never once did he drop it.

Well, the light changed, and I went on my way. "The kid's got skills", I said again with a half smile as I drove off, but then it hit me. I have no idea what he was advertising. Talented? Absolutely. Dedicated? Unquestionable. But for the life of me, I couldn't tell you what he stood (there) for. All I know is that whatever he was asked to promote took a back seat to his show.

I couldn't help but think that we're sometimes like that kid on the corner. We've been called to share the truth of Jesus, but we often do our own song and dance, amusing or confusing those around us. Lord, help us remember that you're the star of the show, and we'd be wise to drop the act.

--J.P.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Roasted Tofu In need of a small departure from the norm? Try this delicious, low-fat vegetarian dish

Serves 4

Ingredients: 1 package extra firm tofu 2 tablespoons canola oil 2 teaspoons rice vinegar 2 teaspoons honey 2 teaspoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon chili sauce (such as sriracha)

Directions: Slice tofu into pieces approximately ½ inch thick and 2 inches long (domino sized pieces). Place pieces in a bowl lined with paper towels and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to remove excess water.

Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl whisk canola oil, vinegar, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil and chili sauce. Add tofu and gently toss to coat. Transfer to a sheet pan and bake for 20-25 minutes (turning once), until golden brown.

Nutrition Info Per Serving: Calories: 105 Total Fat: 5 grams Saturated Fat: 1 gram Carbohydrate: 4 grams Protein: 10 grams Cholesterol: 0 milligrams Sodium: 172 milligrams Fiber: 1 gram

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.

>> FIT READING: Find out what all the buzz is about by picking up your own copy of “PrayFit: Your Guide to a Healthy Body and a Stronger Faith in 28 Days.”

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SIDE SHOW

July 30, 2010Read: Psalm 148

"Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name is exalted. His splendor is above the earth and the heavens." --Psalm 148:13

"The kid's got skills," I said to myself as I sat at a traffic light. Waiting my turn, I looked to my right to see this kid on the corner. He was dancing with one of those big cardboard ads, flipping and turning it with ease. Effortlessly, he'd toss it up and catch without even looking. He had all the drivers mesmerized. He probably flipped it a dozen times while I sat there and never once did he drop it.

Well, the light changed, and I went on my way. "The kid's got skills", I said again with a half smile as I drove off, but then it hit me. I have no idea what he was advertising. Talented? Absolutely. Dedicated? Unquestionable. But for the life of me, I couldn't tell you what he stood (there) for. All I know is that whatever he was asked to promote took a back seat to his show.

I couldn't help but think that we're sometimes like that kid on the corner. We've been called to share the truth of Jesus, but we often do our own song and dance, amusing or confusing those around us. Lord, help us remember that you're the star of the show, and we'd be wise to drop the act.

--J.P.

ON YOUR MARK

Leave it to a couple of weights guys to encourage you to go for a jog, but that's exactly what we're encouraging you to do. Few exercises will burn as many calories as an all-out run. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, running at 6 mph for 30 minutes will burn approximately 389 calories in a 160-pound individual.

But if you're currently not running, we're not saying you should take to the streets with Usain Bolt-like enthusiasm tomorrow, but rather, ease into the routine. In fact, be sure you have some good and supportive shoes that can withstand the pounding long before you head out for your run.

And for those of you who either used to run or have just been itching to see what a good, solid jog can do to your mood as well as your physical health, try this for the next four days:

Find a safe, unimpeded area like a stretch of road or a football field and do a five-minute "up and back." Start the clock and jog to a point on the street (roughly 100 yards) and jog back. Do that as many times as you can in five minutes. Over the next four days, do more laps in five minutes each day than you did the day before. Then at the beginning of the next week, bump up your time to seven minutes and each day beat your previous day's laps again.

If you're not quite ready for a jog, try a jog/walk. Jog to the point, walk back, so on and so forth.

POP QUIZ: What is your VO2 max? a. the newest teenage dance craze b. the latest hair volumizer c. the dog's name on The Jetson's d. your body's rate of oxygen consumption

(Hint: For the answer to the quiz, rule out the three insanely ridiculous answers!)

>> PRAY: Pray for fellow PrayFit members.

>> PLAN: List your goals for the week.

>> PRAISE: Leave a note to encourage other PrayFit members on their workout journals.

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