I'LL DRIVE

August 25, 2011Read: Psalm 139

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." --Psalm 139:14

"Jimmy, you drive." Those three innocent words used to cause me serious panic. Well, it wasn't so much what was said, but who said it. Growing up, whenever the family went anywhere, Dad drove. In fact, I can probably count on one hand the number of times he didn't. But on the other hand, when I got old enough to drive, he'd surprise me and want to take my truck.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't so much the driving that worried me, but it was the condition of my truck. See, I wasn't a neat freak. Alright, that's putting it mildly. I was kinda messy. (My mom and Loretta are both nodding and shaking their heads right about now.) And whenever Dad caught me off guard, his disappointment in how I was taking care of the truck he gave me was like a dagger.

See, to Dad, that truck was more than something to get me from here to there. It was a gift that he practically built with his own hands. And my negligence might as well have been a blow to the gut. Speaking of, at PrayFit, we believe that our effort to be healthy, whether it be to lose weight or lower our blood pressure, is a way to show God just how thankful we are for the body He made to get us through life. Hypothetically speaking, if God asked us to take Him from here to there, in what condition would He find us? On second thought, since He lives inside our hearts, that's not all that hypothetical after all.

--J.P.

Q&A: FRUIT'S FINAL DESTINATION A healthy solution for overripe produce

Q: I often end up with a lot of fruit going bad around my house. It's not because I don't eat it -- it's because I don't eat it fast enough. Should I just buy less?

A: "A blender or food processor is a great destination for surplus fruit or fruit that is overripe but not yet spoiled," says PrayFit contributing nutritionist Emily Ann Miller, MPH, RD. "Many people tell me that they hesitate to buy too much fresh produce because they cannot use it quickly enough before it goes bad, but you can make a delicious, healthy smoothie out of those surplus berries or those bananas that are getting soft."

Here's Miller's fix: "Combine one cup of plain, non-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt with 1-2 cups of fruit, a few ice cubes, and blend to the consistency you desire. You may freeze the fruit first and choose to omit the ice. Boost the nutrients in your drink by adding 1-2 tablespoons of toasted wheat germ or flaxseeds, or 1 tablespoon of nut butter. Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves lend flavor as well."

Emily Ann Miller, MPH, RD is a registered dietitian and works at a Washington, D.C.-based independent, nonprofit science organization, where her work is currently focused on environmental and policy solutions to obesity prevention. She also speaks to groups about health and nutrition and provides nutrition education to patients at a free medical clinic that serves low-income, uninsured adults in the D.C. area. You can view more of Emily’s nutrition tips and updates by following her on Twitter, @EmilyAMillerRD.

>> "PRAYER" FIT: Stop by the prayer requests forum to share issues that are heavy on your heart, or simply to read up and pray for others.

RUNNING IN THE DARK

November 10, 2010Read: Psalm 119

"Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." --Psalm 119:105

By now you've heard the story of Edison Peña, one of the Chilean miners who ran the New York City Marathon this past weekend. Trapped for over two months, 2,000 feet underground, Peña ran 3-6 miles a day -- in the dark. But what motivates me more than the training or even the circumstance, is the fact that he didn't run in order to get out, he ran because he knew he would. Alas, a prisoner of hope.

If you're like me, some days you feel trapped as well. Maybe not underground, but we do suffocate on fear and choke on doubt. When asked how running the marathon differed from the mine, Peña said, "In the mine, I ran alone." (Oh, how his words echo our thoughts.) But you and I know we're not alone and one day, the good Lord will reach down through the darkness to get us. His favorite place to run is to our rescue. We're captured only by grace. Besides, Jesus was buried too. And because He arose, we run.

--J.P.

PRAYFIT RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Banilla Shake

Everyone loves a good smoothie but it can sometimes be difficult to find the right recipe or consistency. And some smoothies can be so laden with sugar that it defeats the joy of trying to mix a little more "health" into your diet. PrayFit contributing nutritionist Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, has a tasty, healthy solution that you can add to your blender repertoire.

Serves 1

Ingredients: ½ medium banana, sliced and frozen (freeze ahead of time) ¾ cup low fat milk 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4-5 ice cubes

Directions: Combine ingredients in a blender- blend until smooth

Nutrition Info Per Serving: Calories: 211 Total Fat: 2 gram Saturated Fat: 1 gram Carbohydrate: 41 grams Protein: 7 grams Cholesterol: 11 milligrams Sodium: 95 milligrams Fiber: 1.5 grams

>> BOOST! Make this a post-workout indulgence by simply adding a scoop of your favorite low-carb, vanilla protein powder. The protein will provide starving muscles with a quick infusion of the amino acids necessary to recover, strengthen and grow.

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer, and nutrition and fitness consultant for international food companies, restaurants and marketing firm. Dana is also the nutrition advisor to The Food Network.