People always ask what I eat to stay fit and energetic.

It’s a tough question because I enjoy so many wonderfully healthy foods! But it’s a good question, and I admit to having the same curiosity about what people eat.

But rather than rattling off my huge list of faves , I’ll give you a peak into my daily diet staples. These are just a few items that I always have in my fridge and cabinets, and eat on a regular basis.

Apples:
Yes, I actually do eat an apple a day. And not just the fleshy part, but the whole darn thing – seeds, core and all. There’s something about a cold, crunchy apple that satisfies my palate. I savor the sweetness, and the fiber fills me up for 3-4 hours between meals. My favorite time to eat an apple is 3:00pm when I’m hungry and need energy, but don’t want anything too hefty before dinner. When I’m craving a peanut butter sandwich, but don’t want all the bread and calories, I’ll slather some natural peanut butter on apple slices and enjoy this tasty treat while relaxing on my patio.

Coconut Water:
After my long runs in the hot, dry Colorado weather, I look forward to the hydrating effects of coconut water. Coconut water (or juice) is the thin liquid found inside young green coconuts —not to be confused with creamier coconut milk, which is made from the white flesh of older coconuts. Coconut water provides about 600mg of potassium per cup (more than a banana), along with some calcium, magnesium and sodium – all the electrolytes you’d find in a sports drink like Gatorade, but without all the sugar, chemicals and dyes. You’ll find coconut water at most natural foods stores.

Baby Spinach:
I love spinach and add it to my smoothies near daily for breakfast or lunch. Just a handful will do! With the fruit and other ingredients I add to my blender, I can’t even taste the spinach, and I feel good knowing I’m getting extra veggies that I may have missed otherwise. I also put spinach in my omelets, and the whole family adores my spinach salad topped with avocado, strawberries, walnuts and balsamic vinegar. I’ll also toss it into a bowl of quinoa or brown rice along with a handful of raisins and a sprinkling of curry powder, celery seed powder and sea salt.

Eggs:
Despite my commitment to eating less animal protein, we’re a big egg family. My boyfriend Andrew makes a mean veggie omelet, which I crave about 2-3 times per month. I also use egg whites about 3-4 times per week in my yummy Oatmeal Pancake (see below), and Max enjoys three hard-boiled egg whites sprinkled with a little sea salt and pepper for breakfast. It’s a great protein compliment to his whole-grain waffle with fruit. If you’re going to eat eggs, buy the real thing. Don’t do the liquid processed brands that contain dyes and other stuff you just don’t need.

Almond Butter:
I’ll admit, one of life’s simple pleasures is as a big spoonful of almond butter when I’m craving something sweet, rich and creamy. Two tablespoons is 200 calories, so I cut this in half on most days, or allow myself the full 200-calorie snack on days when I’ve expended more energy through exercise. I also like to spread it on a crisp Fuji or Gala apple, or mix a spoonful into my warm quinoa cereal or oatmeal. Have you seen the new Justin’s Nut Butter single-serving packs? These are great for hiking, biking, and packing in kids’ lunches!

Cherry Tomatoes:
These are an easy snack when I’m putting the evening meal together and need something sweet and tangy to hold me over. I also add these yummy morsels to Max’s lunch a couple times a week, and it’s our stand-by veggie when his friends come over and I know they won’t eat green beans or broccoli! We also dip cherry tomatoes in hummus, or toss them with a little warm, whole-wheat or gluten-free penne, olive oil and sea salt for a quick family meal.

Rolled Oats:
Quaker should really give me a kick-back for the amount of oats I’ve eaten in my lifetime! Oatmeal is a breakfast favorite that sticks to my ribs and gives me a sense of calm and overall wellness. I rarely dress it up, but if I do, I’ll add a little cinnamon and vanilla flavoring, and maybe a splash of almond milk. I also make a fabulous porridge by putting in 2 T. raisins or chopped dates and 2-3 t. of maple syrup into the saucepan while the oats are cooking.  My famous oatmeal pancake is made by blending together 3/4 cup rolled oats (uncooked), 4 egg whites, and 1 T. Eden brand apple butter – pour the blended batter onto a non-stick skillet and cook over medium heat until done. This makes one big pancake, and is portable enough to take  to work or gobble up after a workout.  Often I’ll throw a ¼ cup of oats in my smoothie, and my favorite cookie on the planet is a chewy oatmeal and raisin.

Organic Blueberries:
Organic blueberries, especially in the summer when they’re in season, are a sweet and simple way to amp-up your antioxidants. We put blueberries in our smoothies, and have fun making gluten-free blueberry muffins and pancakes on the weekends (try the Pamela’s-brand baking mix). A handful of blueberries in the afternoon cuts my cravings for sweets, especially when I couple it with a handful of walnuts. Try this: blend one cup blueberries with one cup silken tofu, ¼ an avocado and 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup for a yummy pudding! Sound weird? Just try it and tell me what you think.

Greek Yogurt:

Aside from being deliciously thick and creamy, most Greek yogurt is made with all natural ingredients and contains several strands of probiotic cultures – great for your gut! I don’t eat yogurt as much as the boys, but I’d rather they eat Greek yogurt than the highly sweetened commercial yogurts (which have as much sugar as a pack of M & M’s!). Eat the low-fat, plain varieties and add fresh fruit and/or a touch of honey to sweeten. You can also use Greek yogurt as a replacement for sour cream in recipes, or add a dollop to your baked potato. It contains about 14 grams of protein per serving, where other yogurts contain about 7-8 grams.

Salba Seed:
It has been shown that Salba is the richest whole food source of Omega 3 fatty acids and fiber found in nature. Every 12g serving of Salba provides over 2,700 mg of Omega 3’s and over 4 grams of dietary fiber, with less than 0.5 g net carbohydrate per serving. Gram for gram, Salba has six times more calcium than whole milk, three times more iron than spinach, and fifteen times more magnesium than broccoli. It’s all-natural, has no trans fat, is gluten free, has almost no carbohydrates and is non-GMO. That’s why I love it!
I sprinkle ground Salba on my oatmeal, quinoa and salads, and will use it in baking recipes that call for flax. I put the whole seed in my smoothies and also add 1-2 tablespoons to sauces and stews for thickening. You can buy Salba at Whole Foods markets and most Kroger stores, and can find some of my Salba recipes at www.salbasmart.com.

Vanilla Almond Milk:
I don’t drink milk, but love to have a sweet beverage or topping for my whole-grain cereal or oatmeal every now and then. For people who want to avoid dairy products, vanilla almond milk is a great alternative! It tastes great and one cup contains 40 calories, whereas 1% milk contains about 100 calories. I put ½ cup almond milk in my smoothies in addition to ¾ cup water, or I’ll sweeten my oatmeal with a splash. During the colder months, I’ll relax with a warm cup of almond milk in the afternoon or evenings.

Honey:
Honey is a wonderful staple to keep in your kitchen. Not only is it a yummy, natural sweetener, it also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, along with antifungal and antibacterial properties to fight off infections.
We drizzle honey in our tea, and use it as sweeteners for marinades and salad dressings. Max also likes a little squeeze on his tongue when he’s craving something sweet, and I mix it into Tahini (sesame seed butter) for a yummy spread on whole-grain bread and rice cakes. If you like honey mustard, mix 1/2 teaspoon of honey into 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard and use it as a sandwich spread instead of mayo. We also use honey instead of sugar in most recipes. Click Here for tips on replacing sugar with honey in baking.

Green Tea:
I truly look forward to my cup of green tea in the morning. It’s comforting to know I’m receiving the antioxidant benefits, with enough caffeine to support mental acuity, but not so much that I feel addicted, dehydrated and drained. I usually get the stronger varieties such as Gunpowder, but enjoy the Jasmine and milder varieties as well. Until a few months ago I would put honey in my tea every morning. Now I just add the honey as a treat since this keeps my weight and blood sugar in check.

Protein Powder:
I use protein powder when I need to a little protein boost, but don’t want nuts, beans or animal products. My two favorites include:  1) NutriBiotic Rice Protein powder (berry-flavored), and 2) JuicePlus+ Complete vanilla-flavored shake mix. I use the rice protein as a mix-in with my oatmeal, or for this easy ‘sorbet’ recipe: Two tablespoons NutritBiotic berry-flavored rice protein, 1 cup frozen blueberries, and enough water or almond milk to mix but not make liquid. You can add a little honey or stevia to sweeten, but I enjoy it without the sweeteners. It’s a cool, refreshing treat without all the sugar.
The JP+ Complete shake is an outstanding addition to anyone’s diet, providing a solid source of plant-based protein, with the added benefits of whole-food concentrate fruits, veggies and grains. Our entire family enjoys smoothies with either the chocolate or vanilla JP+ Complete and these add-ins: ½ a frozen banana; 1 cup blueberries, strawberries, apple, mango or peaches; 1 handful spinach; ½ c. almond milk, soy milk or coconut water; ¾ c. water; 1 T. Salba seed; and ice. Blend and serve…deeee-licious!

So there you have it…a peak into my fridge.  Now, I didn’t include the occasional coconut milk ice cream that shows up, or the dark chocolate from The Healthy Chocolate Shop that I’ve been enjoying this week, but I’ll save this for another blog – “Julie’s Guilt-Free Decadence”. Hmmm.

I’d love to hear what’s in YOUR fridge…please share and pass along some recipes too!

A Colorado Celebration  Of Women in Transition

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Denver Botanic Gardens

8:30 to 4:00 PM

KOSI’s Jackie Selby~Afternoon Emcee!
Keynote Speakers:

Julie Hammerstein – Family Wellness and Nutrition Expert

www.juliehammerstein.com

Debra Fine- Internationally recognized speaker and author of The Fine Art of Small Talk.

www.debrafine.com

Julie Pech – Chocolate Therapist

www.thechocolatetherapist.com

Mitch Powers- Growing Your Investments

www.investsg.com

Deb Sheppard- Finding Clarity and Peace

www.depsheppard.com

A Wildflower Women’s Makeover

Clothes by Bling of Castle Rock

Hair and Make up by Ed Gillespie, Over The Top Salon

The $75 tax-deductible ticket price includes a catered lunch, silent auction, and admission to the Botanic Gardens.

For more information and to order tickets, please go to www.wildflowerwomensfoundation.org and click on Events.

Growing a garden may seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve never done it before.

I admit, I’ve always been intimidated by the process.

Yet I’d really like to beat the cost of organic food, and the continual depletion of our natural resources really concerns me. So I know that growing my own food is a great way to beat the system, protect the earth, and provide fresh, nutritious food for my family.

There are also huge emotional upsides to growing a garden!  I love to put on my iPod, crank the tunes and spend time digging in the dirt!  It’s totally therapeutic and a wonderful way to bond with my loved ones.  My boyfriend Andrew and I had fun last summer making fresh salsa with the tomatoes and peppers from his garden, and our boys gobbled it up!

But since I am fairly new to the gardening process, I asked my staff writer extraordinaire, Chelsea Frankel, to do a little investigating.  I wanted to know what it would take to start my own garden, in addition to planting some new items in Andrew’s plot.

And this is what she discovered:

What you’ll need:

A small plot of land – in your own backyard or a shared community garden

Fruit, vegetable and herb seeds

Starter tray

Nutrient-rich dirt

All-natural fertilizer

Garden tools:  hoe, rake, sand (optional), 10” metal pipe, hose or watering can

Foot-long sticks or wooden round rods

String or old t-shirts torn into long strips

Preparation:

Know your climate. Certain crops grow better in the spring, where others should be planted early to mid-summer.  Same goes for general weather patterns.  Some seeds do better in warmer, drier climates, where others do well with lots of rain and humidity.

Pick the plot of land. You want to choose an area that will receive plenty of sun. If you live in the woods where deer and other animals will be tempted to eat your crops, consider enclosing the area with a make-shift barrier.

Check the acidity of your soil. Strips are available at your local hardware or gardening stores. The best pH values are between 6.5 and 7. If your soil is overly acidic, you can apply garden lime when preparing the soil, just before you add the fertilizer.  There will be directions on the bags of the lime and the fertilizer on how to add each to the soil.

Getting started:

Step 1: Buying the seeds or plants – It is important to buy high quality seeds for a successful garden. Make sure to buy organic seeds to insure they were not treated with pesticides or other harmful chemicals. You may also choose to buy your seeds online at sites such as www.gurneys.com. If you don’t want to deal with the seeds, you can buy small vegetable plants instead and plant them in the ground to speed up the process.

Step 3: Planting your seeds – The easiest way to begin your garden is to use starter trays (purchased at Home Depot, Wal-Mart, or gardening stores).  Lay down your dirt and fertilizer, and plant two or three seeds per tray.  Keep the trays in your home for a few weeks before you transfer the sprouted plants outside. Keep the seeds moist but not drenched, and give them plenty of sunlight.

Step 3: Getting the soil ready. The earth where your garden will be planted must be free of roots, grass and weeds. Till the soil with your hoe, and then rake away excess debris. After this is complete, sprinkle the area with the all-natural fertilizer (www.downtoearthfertilizer.com) and a very small amount of sand.

Step 4: Planting the seeds or baby plants – When it is time to plant, dig a hole deep enough to cover the roots of the plant and some of the stem. Make sure you are leaving ample space between the plants (about 1’) and enough empty spaces throughout the garden so that you can walk around (to prune, water, etc.) without damaging anything. After planting, water the entire area until moist but not drenched.

Step 5: Anchor your plants – As your plants grow, anchor them by tying small sticks to the plant with string or your torn t-shirts to keep them upright.

Step 6: Water and Prune – Each plant will have specific directions for watering and pruning.  Follow the directions carefully, or get online to learn how to best care for the specific fruits, veggies and herbs in your crop.

Step 7 : Enjoy Your Healthy Harvest!

Additional Tips:

Don’t get discouraged! Gardening is like anything else – it takes practice and there is a learning curve. If your first season isn’t as prosperous as you’d like, don’t give up as you’ll learn from your mistakes.

To keep moles away from your garden, put a 10 inch metal pole into the ground, leaving one fourth of it above ground. Once or twice a day, hit the pole with a stick. The vibrations in the earth will keep them away. (This tip totally cracks me up for some reason!).

Most Important Tip:  Have Fun! Rally your kids, friends and family and share in a wonderful experience.

If you have any experiences you’d like to share, please comment below!  I’d like to grow lettuce, carrots, zucchini and strawberries this year ~ and TONS of herbs.  Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Happy Gardening!

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment” ~ Vince Lombardi

Often times when you hear the word “commitment”, you think of commitment to other people.  By being “committed”, you are making a promise to someone or something outside yourself.  Committing to a relationship for example, or possibly a project or a scheduled event.

In keeping that commitment, you show others they can rely on you – that you “walk your talk” and can be trusted.  In breaking the commitment, your actions raise doubt and disappointment, and people start to question whether they can truly count on you.  You know the difference.  You know how it feels when you stay committed and see things through to completion.  You also know how it feels when you break a commitment.  It may feel different for everyone, but deep down, you know it doesn’t feel good.

You know why?  Because in breaking a commitment to others, you break a personal agreement with yourself.  You sever the internal thread that binds you to personal integrity.  Ouch.  Just the thought of that hurts.  To break with your own integrity means breaking with the essential part of you that knows abundance, prosperity, connection, love, joy, and accomplishment.  Without that connection, you move through life in self-doubt, blame and possibly anger.  These are all feelings that come up when you feel you are not getting what you want out of life.

When you stay committed, and keep agreements with yourself and others, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.  Even by committing to a simple phone call, you will tap into the flow of personal integrity that leads you to greater actions.  You will also start to attract commitment-oriented people….so, be in the world who you want to bring into your life.

Here’s another lesson.  It’s okay not to commit to everything.  You have the absolute right to decide which things are worthy of your commitment.  If you decide not to commit, then you can say with integrity, “no thank you”.  But the moment you say “yes”, you are committed and the flow of personal integrity is in place.  This can be useful once you start to feel the need to break the commitment.  Just refer back to how good if felt to be in the flow of personal integrity.  Once you sever it, you will see that it creates a split in your very Being.

Pay attention to this if it happens.  It’s okay if it does…you are human.  But ask yourself why, and commit to not doing it again.  In doing so, you will start to opt for staying committed, and that’s where your quality of life will be defined.

Have a wonderful day!

Happy Monday!

“We’ve all heard that we have to learn from our mistakes, but I think it’s more important to learn from successes. If you learn only from your mistakes, you are inclined to learn only errors.”

~ Norman Vincent Peale

Think of times in your life when you’ve come to a fork in the road.  A moment where you could choose a path once taken, or choose the new path with new territory. Did the path once taken produce the results you want in life?  If not, would you still take that path, if given the chance, simply because it feels familiar?  Where in your decision are you giving yourself the OPPORTUNITY to take the new path?

In the above quote, the writer asks us to learn from our successes, rather than focus on our mistakes.  Here’s another way of looking at it.  Start by recalling what you did the last time you made a mistake.  You felt disappointment, regret and loss.  What did you do?  You probably found the wisdom, creativity and strength to move on and start anew.  In that, you said with conviction, “I’ll never do THAT again!”.

So here you are again.  Faced with the same path. But rather than remind yourself of the shame and guilt you felt the last time you took this path, focus on how you successfully moved on from it the last time.  Here’s where you give yourself the OPPORTUNITY to do it differently.

You know why?

Because shame, guilt and the statement, “I can’t believe I am here again!”, just lead you down the old path. Those words are incredibly dis-empowering and keep you stuck in the mind-set of failure and old patterns.  Instead, use your WISDOM, CREATIVITY, STRENGTH and CONVICTION – the success traits you used to get you out of this situation the last time – and apply them on the front-end.  Let them be your guides.  In doing so, you successfully turn to the new path, and start walking.

Today I have a decision to make.  Thank you for allowing me to write this for you!  In doing so, I know what I need to do…

….choose the new path.  The path of open communication, trust and a willingness to step outside of judgment and accept people for who they are – and the paths they have chosen.

Have an amazing week!

I went to a funeral service for a friend on Wednesday.  One of the messages that stuck with me was something the bishop described as the “in between time”.  This is the period we must go through when something ends, and we await a new beginning.  He talked about how real growth happens during this “in between time”.  We have recognized the ending, but have not fully realized the beginning.  So, there we are, in the time where we must decide – what am I going to do?

In my interpretation of this, I feel like the In Between Time is what defines the human spirit.  Whether this time is 2 days or 2 years, these are critical moments that shape who we are and what we are made of.  This time reflects how we generally move through our lives.

I see it this way:

Endings are finite, and tangible.  This is the end – not much to debate.

Beginnings are expansion, and joyful.  This is the beginning – there is hope and direction.

In Between Time is murky, and unstable.  This is the in between time – what should I do now?

Let’s look at that question again?  “What should I do now?”

HOW COOL!

“What should I do now?” leaves the door WIDE OPEN!

What should I do now says “DO ANYTHING YOU WANT!”  Why not?!  This is the time to create EVERYTHING from nothing.  This is the time that says “anything is possible”.  You are at the helm.  You can’t go back and change an ending.  It’s done.  And once the momentum of a beginning takes hold, you are in that movement forward and going with the flow.  The In Between Time is where the work is, but it’s also where YOU create the payoff.  You get the chance, in every moment, to create your best life!

Consider your relationships, your diet, your finances, the death of a loved-one, even the end of a vacation.  How do you deal with the transition of moving on to the next moment?

The In Between Time is where YOU get to know YOU.  Don’t do it the same way you did the last time something ended.  Sit with it for a while.  Sit in the murkiness and decide how to get clarity.  Call on the available resources we all have within us – that of courage, creativity and most important, integrity.

Are you in an In Between Time?  Are you in that critical space of shifting from the old to the new?  Are you willing to grow during this time rather than repeat old patterns?

In doing so, you will define who you are.  I feel confident you stand in the realm of possibility and greatness.

Have a wonderful day.

In business, we talk about the importance of recognition.  Although most won’t admit it, it is the single most popular motivator for people.

Think about it, when a player wins at Wimbledon, does he accept the prize by holding up handfuls of money?  No, he holds up a glistening trophy.  When a famous actor is brought on stage for an award-winning performance, do we hear about box-office sales?  No, we applaud the Oscar.  Because deep down, it’s not about the money.  Money is relative.  What may seem like a lot for one person, may seem like nothing to another.  But winning a blue ribbon…everyone gets that!

Recognition affirms you can attain certain goals, that you are good enough, and that you can be a positive role model for others. When you learn to humbly accept this, you will be more open and available to the recognition that comes your way.

Another way to get comfortable with receiving recognition, is to give recognition.  Even the small gestures, like sending a friend a card thanking them for being so loyal.  Telling a team member you are proud of their efforts.  Letting your children know they are gift to this planet.

Yesterday my mom recognized me in a very unique way.  She was doing some errands for me, which included groceries.  I made a list, but did not get overly detailed. I came home and found that all the food she bought was natural or organic, and all the paper products (i.e. paper towels) were made from recycled paper.

Here’s the deal…my mom does not shop this way for herself.  This was totally outside her comfort zone!  More importantly, I did not specify these brands on the list.

My mom did this because she pays attention to my life!  She knows this is how I would have shopped for myself, and she wanted to honor that.  I can’t tell you how much this meant to me!  It was recognition in it’s truest form, because I know that she “sees” me.

So you see, it doesn’t have to be a gold medal.  It doesn’t have to be a huge gesture.  In fact, it can be the simple statement, “What you do does not go unnoticed.”

Have a wonderful day.

My coach Lisa Jimenez said this to me when I was in Bangkok for our Mastermind Retreat:

“The portal to focus is desire”.

I love this quote, as it really helps me when I start to procrastinate, get distracted or stand in fear or doubt.  If you stay present to your desires – your “WHY” – then you tap into the laser-focused efforts that will undeniably get you to your goal.  With a deep desire comes conviction.  And when you have a full-out belief in something, NOTHING will stop you.  That’s focus!

This can work for anything – your desire for worldly goods, for improved health or for new relationships – your unrelenting “why” is the gateway that keeps you on-task.

Try that on today and see what happens.  I find that when I write down all the things I’m striving for, this effort alone gets me focused on the accomplishments for the day.  This will be important as I “re-enter” life here in Denver and re-engage in making May an incredible month, both personally and professionally!  Please update me on what you’re up to and where I can help.

Have a wonderful day!

Let’s talk a little about success versus failure.  Throughout our lives, we decide that we are either one or the other.  Now we might not feel we are a success or a failure as a general rule, but there are areas where we feel our results reflect one or the other.  One gives us a sense of joy, grandiosity and safety, where the other produces feelings of regret, guilt, and shame.

But really, the difference between success and failure is subtle.  Because in order to have one, you need the other.  Think of a boat sailing from point A to point B.  The captain of the boat is always making slight adjustments to the rudder – a little left, a little right, a little left, a little right – constantly shifting and adjusting towards the destination.  The shifts are so subtle, that none of the passengers notice – they just trust the destination.

Our lives and our actions are quite the same.  If we look at our actions as constant readjustments – a little shift here, a little shift there – then we start to see that what we have labeled a “failure” is really just a shift towards the next little “success”.  Now remember, when we think we’ve hit success, have faith that something will not go the way we planned.  This is okay!  It just invites us to shift the rudder slightly.

Success is not the destination…it is part of the process.  Notice the difference when you say to yourself, “I have failed three times”, and what happens when you say, “I am a failure”.   The last statement is so finite and disregards the process all together.  The first gives you the grace to say “and now I must readjust”.

Be kind to yourself, and have fun sailing

Have a wonderful day!

Good Day Everyone!

A few years ago my mom sent me an article titled “Gentling Through”.  It was written by a woman who made up the word “gentling” to describe how she approaches the “brick wall” days – when quitting isn’t an option, and going ahead seems impossible.  Our typical response to these days is to either blast through them with “raw human will”, or to quit before you start.  I have to admit, I’ve had a few of those days in the past few months, and I’m am always grateful for the lessons in this article.

The author speaks of “gentling through” as a mental approach. One that involves patiently taking the steps in front of you and staying very much in the moment.  It involves refusing to dwell on the past or ruminate about the future.  What is really requires is faith.  If you look back at the days where you’ve felt this way, try to recall the general outcome.  Can you say that 95% of the time, you got the job done?  It may not have been in the way you planned or anticipated, but it somehow, creatively, was accomplished.  Do you feel like you generally land on your feet?  Not to say that you haven’t struggled through a day, but in the end, do you usually come out on top?

If you apply this faith every day, and just mindfully take the steps in front of you, you can gently proceed forward.  I explain faith like this:  If you have a strong desire, then that is your purpose in life.  That desire is so strong that you know, in faith, you will achieve the results attached to that desire.  You may hit a few brick walls, but it’s your faith that keeps you committed.  Here’s a visual:  your faith is like your arm – you know it’s there, you feel it every day, you don’t have to keep checking on it – it’s just there serving you.

So go forward today gently and with faith, knowing that tomorrow you will wake up ready to take the next steps.

Have a wonderful day!