Wholly Healthy

Slowing Down and Assessing the Essentials

2015-02-11T21:03:00.000-05:00

It's been quite some time since I've last blogged. So many things have changed. I've experienced the good, the bad, happiness, sadness, stress, peace... so many experiences in day-to-day life that make up who we are.

I've gotten married at the age of 33, which poses it's own challenges. Learning to compromise and share a life with another person can be quite the adjustment. But God didn't create marriage to make us happy (though it hopefully does much of the time). He created marriage to make us holy. So that we may imitate Him as he related to the church. I truly believe that there is no greater challenge with no greater reward than growing together in Christ in the ways that are expressed in scripture. It is character-building, for sure.

These last few months of new marriage have brought with them much reflection on who I am, who I am becoming, and who He wants me to be. How will my time be best spent? What activities/studies/hobbies will best serve my family and glorify God? What will contribute positively to my health, both physically and mentally? I've had some recent developments in my physical health that have proven to be the result of too much stress. So the reevaluation of my time and focus has become absolutely necessary.

So what are you focused on these days? How are you spending your time and attention, and how are those things serving your all-around wellness?

It's been a looooooooooooooooong time!

2014-05-15T18:32:00.000-04:00

Well, It's been literal YEARS since my last post... quite a bit has happened in my crazy life over the past 3 years, but all of the ups and downs have been filled with the presence of God and I've truly been blessed through it all.

I've sold a house, moved, pursued higher education and immersed myself in the Word of God. And you know what? God really IS good. All the time. Relationships have come and gone, but my Father God has remained ever faithful. Some people have stuck by me and some have not. Even through the rough times, I thank God for drawing me closer to Him and teaching me so much.

My current goals:
1. Continue to seek God daily.
2. Get back in shape (college has wreaked havoc on my body. too much sitting!)
3. Seek opportunities to serve in my community (long term and on a daily basis)
4. Show nothing but love to those who matter most.

The last 5 months alone have been filled with such growth and excitement. I'm always looking forward to what is in store for me next.

This week's new recipe

2011-03-08T16:20:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I made the African Chicken Peanut stew from SimpleRecipes.com that I talked about on facebook. It was good. Casey snubbed his nose and said it smelled like 'sweat socks'. He always says that.

This next recipe should get a better response, since it contains 2 of his favorite things. Chicken and rice. We'll see how it goes and I'll let you know.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Posted by Elise on Jan 6, 2009 at SimpleRecipes.com

Have you ever had the soup can classic chicken rice casserole? I admit, I have not, though the idea of it intrigued me recently. It sort of reminds me of my mother's arroz con pollo, but with mushrooms and without tomatoes. With this recipe I set out to make a scratch cooking version of chicken rice casserole, sans the cans, with the goal of extracting as much flavor as I could out of the ingredients. First you will note that we use chicken thighs, instead of the more popular (and more expensive by the way) breasts. The thighs have more flavor, and are a little fattier, meaning they won't dry out with long cooking. The chicken pieces are browned in olive oil, removed, and then the onions are cooked in the same pan with the chicken browned bits. Then the mushrooms are browned, and the whole pan is deglazed with dry sherry. All goes into a casserole dish with stock, cream, sour cream, herbs, rice, topped with the chicken, and baked in the oven. The rice cooks in the stock, the chicken finishes cooking, and the resulting dish is, as my 10-yr-old nephew says "really good".

Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

If you are avoiding cooking with alcohol, skip the sherry and deglaze the pan with a 1/4 cup extra of chicken stock.
Depending on how salted your stock is, you may need to more generously salt this dish. Can always salt to taste at the table.
You can make this entire dish on the stovetop instead of the oven if you want. Just use a large sauté pan with a tight cover, cook on low when all is assembled, low enough to keep a simmer, but not so high that you burn the rice.

Ingredients

2 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 to 1 1/2 inch pieces, patted dry
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup dry sherry or white wine
1 1/3 cups* chicken stock**
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup cream
1 cup raw, medium or long grain, white rice
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon each of Italian seasoning and poultry seasoning (or 2 teaspoons of one of these herb mixes, or 2 Tbsp chopped fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage, thyme, and basil)**
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

*This recipe assumes the rice requires approx 1 1/2 cups liquid per cup of rice to cook. Some rice varieties, such as brown rice, require more liquid (and a longer cooking time). Adjust recipe accordingly.
**If you are cooking gluten-free, use homemade stock or gluten-free packaged stock, use gluten-free packaged herbs and spices.

Method

1 Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil in a large sauté pan on medium high or high heat (hot enough to brown but not burn). Sprinkle a dash of salt on the bottom of the pan. Season the chicken pieces all over with salt and pepper. Working in batches, brown the chicken pieces on two sides, about 1-2 minutes per batch. Add a little more salt to the pan (and more olive oil if needed) after every batch. This will help prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan. Remove chicken pieces and set aside in a bowl. Note that the chicken does not have to be cooked through, only browned.

2 In the same sauté pan add 1 Tbsp olive oil, lower the heat to medium, add the onions, and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, cook 30 seconds more. Remove onions and garlic to a shallow (9 x 13 x 2) casserole dish.

3 Raise heat to medium high, add the sliced mushrooms. Dry sauté them (no need to add butter or oil), allowing the mushrooms to brown lightly, and release some of their moisture. Add the mushrooms to the casserole dish.
4 Add 1/4 cup dry sherry or dry white wine to the pan to deglaze the pan, scraping off the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. (At this point, if you are making ahead, reduce the sherry to 1 Tbsp and pour off into the casserole dish. Refrigerate cooked onions, garlic, mushrooms, and browned chicken pieces until you are ready to make the casserole.) Let the sherry reduce to about 1 Tbsp, then add the chicken stock, and remove from heat. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoon salt, the cream, and the sour cream. Add the raw rice to the casserole dish. Then pour the stock, sherry, cream, sour cream mixture over the rice. Add the Italian and poultry seasonings (or fresh herbs) and paprika to the dish. Stir the rice, onion, mushroom, herb mixture so that they are evenly distributed in the casserole dish.

5 Place the chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture (in a single layer if you can, they will be crowded). Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in a 375°F oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil. If the casserole is still too liquidy, let it cook a few minutes more, uncovered, until the excess liquid has evaporated away.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Serves 6 (with leftovers)

Accountability... It's a Wonderful Thing

2011-02-15T15:00:00.002-05:00

I will be the first to tell you that I am a classic example of someone who doesn't always practice what they preach. Hey, no one is perfect, and I don't expect anyone else to be perfect either. But I strive for optimal health and to make the best decisions as often as possible.

I often have difficulty in my decision making because of a lack of accountability. Yes, I'd like to think that I'm strong enough and possess enough conviction to make the right food choices purely because it's the right decision. Apparently I'm not. And that's OK.

My 'significant other', who currently lives 5.5 hours away and requires a restricted diet and constant physical activity, will soon be moving into town. This man has no self control either, so I will be forced to keep anything that I don't want him to eat out of my cupboards. Because he WILL eat it, and suffer for it.

I'm looking forward to his accountability of constant exercise and strict diet, to remind me of why I make the decisions I do and help me create better habits.

So my question to you is... what are YOUR goals? What do YOU need accountability in, and who in your life can help you with it?

Return to Life as Usual, but with a New Outlook

2011-02-03T05:45:00.001-05:00

I've been home from my trip to India for 1 week now, trying to get back to normal sleep patterns, focus at work, and reclaiming order in my home. It's all slowly coming back, though I constantly remind myself not to get COMPLETELY back to normal. When you visit a foreign land that has so much less than you, you can't help but appreciate everything that you have and have taken for granted your whole life.

Things in life that never occurred to me as a middle class white girl raised in the suburbs now have significance. The roof over my head, food on the table and clothes on my back were always expected to be provided by my parents. A hot shower has always been available to me, and modern plumbing was something I never thought could be different anywhere else. Of course, as I've grown into an adult and provided these things for myself, I have gained an appreciation of what it has taken my parents to provide a certain quality of life for my brothers and I growing up. But until I experienced another culture where these things are not readily available, I never stopped to think how truly lucky most of us are in America.

I spent time getting to know beautiful people who live with very little (practically nothing by our standards), but feel like they have 'everything they need' in something as simple as a small refrigerator. They have no heat in their homes, no washing machines to wash their clothes and no car in the driveway to go wherever they need whenever they want.

We had the privilege of providing some basic staples to a few less fortunate people in the community in Kalimpong while there was a political strike going on and stores were closed, making feeding their families a real hardship. We were humbled by the families that we met who care for their families with so little.

Our time spent with the girls at Hope Family Home was spent singing, laughing, learning and growing. Some of them have experienced a lot of life in their few years on this earth. They will never be forgotten.

Adventures in Far Away Lands

2011-01-11T21:29:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I leave America for the first time, for a country that I have dreamed of for years. India. Over the past few years my heart has ached for unwanted children, and visions of India have stuck with me. So to combine these two desires in one trip is sure to make for an amazing experience. In the past, I've felt that 'short-term missions' were a waste of time and only benefited those who went to serve. But this trip is about delivering supplies, directly investing financially in specific ministries, and creating/nurturing relationships. To show love to these girls, of all ages up to 19, is the greatest privilege of my life so far, and I haven't even met them yet. To hug them, play games with them, sing with them, read to them, and share God's love with them... I'm crying already, and I haven't even left yet!

I'll be sure to give a full report along with plenty of pictures upon my return.

A New Year with New Intentions

2010-12-29T07:15:00.000-05:00

This whole 'New Years Resolution' concept is garbage. To 'resolve' to do something suggests pure determination. What really matters is the motivation, reasoning and intention behind that determination. Instead of just announcing, 'I'm going to exercise more.' or 'I'm going to eat healthier.', let's really dig deep into those changes that we desire for the coming year. Only then can we REALLY change our lives.

For me, I foresee a LOT of changes in the coming year, circumstantially. But the internal and lifestyle changes are where I will be focusing on this during this season. Luckily, my school provided me with The Integrative Nutrition Journal to help me with that task. Starting January 1, I will take the next 3 months to focus on my health - physical, mental and spiritual - in depth, and in writing. Sticking to writing is not a strength of mine, so this will take discipline in addition to my personal motivation. Some other courses of action are:

Take Some Me Time to get into a cozy, quiet setting alone with some tea and really spend some time reflecting. What was great in 2010? What did I accomplish? What would I like to accomplish in 2011?
Journal the answers to those questions, and see where my pen takes me with those thoughts
Don't wait until January 1 to start new, healthy habits. Make a conscious decision, right now, to do things, eat the food, pray the prayers and think the thoughts you know you should be thinking. Start crowding out the bad with the good.

Macrobiotics: Not a Diet, but a Way of Life

2010-12-19T08:04:00.003-05:00

In the early 1970's, Macrobiotics gained popularity as a diet with the capability of curing diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. But the premise of this lifestyle is making good choices. In food, home, relationships and all other aspects of life. In Greek, 'macro' means 'large' and 'bios' means 'life'. It doesn't refer to LONGER life, but FULLER life. It is a philosophy of balance.

The major principals include:

Eat natural, minimally processed, whole foods
Eat organically, locally and seasonally, when possible
Gain understanding of how different foods effect you
Center the diet around whole grains, vegetables and beans (not meat)
Keep our lives in harmony within our families, community and selves

While some have been known to go overboard and become very fanatical and even legalistic about living a Macrobiotic lifestyle, it's not about rules. It's about respect for our food, bodies and therefore lives. Sound familiar?

My desire to improve my own health through food is motivated by my relationship with Jesus Christ. My relationship is not dependent on following the rules (though I strive to because He deserves it, just as my body does). By focusing on God in everything I do, I know that He will guide and protect me. I know that everything will be OK. By making better food choices and exercising more, I know that my health will only improve. If I respect my body, it will take care of me. It will be sustained with energy to get me through the day, to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. I was given this body by God to do His work on this Earth.

Back to School Again: the Road to Health Counseling

2010-12-14T20:16:00.001-05:00

Endeavoring into the world of formal education… again… has actually been a real pleasure so far. While I enjoyed most of my 2 year college experience at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology studying Architectural Technology, I HATED High School. I don't generally use the word HATE lightly, but I truly hated it. In fact, all 12 years of schooling were pretty horrible. I soared through my final years in the remedial classes, so I could do as little work as possible. I was always the smart one in the class amongst the thugs and truants.

I had spent the last few years expanding my own awareness about food, health and the local food system. I read many books and joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in an attempt to broaden my food horizons. I pondered culinary school, but couldn't bring myself to spend the money on something that I didn't plan to use professionally. In essence, I didn't have any intention of being a chef for a living. So why spend $18,000 on a certificate from a culinary school in NYC that focuses on whole foods? Because it would have been an AMAZING experience! But, alas, my common sense kept me out of the clouds and in my steady, reliable job as a Realtor Assistant.

That culinary school, the Natural Gourmet Institute, mails out a quarterly course catalog with public classes, as well as chef training. Each time it comes in the mail, I again begin to dream about immersing myself into a whole foods culinary experience with like-minded people and critically acclaimed professionals in field. As I flipped through the catalog this past August, I came across a course offering that focused on food and healing and found at the bottom of the course description that it was only offered as Continuing Education for health professionals and graduates of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. "What's that?!", I'm fairly certain I exclaimed out loud in the privacy of my own home, which I'm known to do. My internet was uncooperative on this particular evening, but on my nightly phone call with my boyfriend, Casey, I asked him to look it up and tell me what it was.

As Casey read me the information on almost every single page of that website that night, I could not wait to get back online in the morning and read it with my own eyes. It talked about taking my passions for nutrition, health and natural wellness and turning them into a career where I could help others improve their own lives with my knowledge. Within 1 week I was enrolled. Through 1 year of distance learning through the internet and an iPod filled with lectures on over 100 dietary theories, business building and clinical nutrition information, I will be a Certified Health Counselor, guiding others through their own journeys to wellness.

You see, we were created to heal ourselves. We can't always count on doctors to fix every little ailment, and sometimes even the big ones. We owe it to ourselves to be informed and aware of our bodies and how they work, and to know WHY we feel the way we do at different times. And while physical food is important, it comes secondary to our relationships, spirituality and career, which are our 'Primary Food'.

I'm learning a lot, soaking in as much information as I can. And in a few months, I'll be ready to start working with others. In the meantime, part of my training is to perform free Health History Consultations. These are a great learning tool where we get to know each other, discuss your health concerns and goals, and it's just a great time for you to be heard! If this sounds good to you, I'd love to schedule a time to get together or talk over the phone for 50 minutes or so. Email me at jforberger@gmail.com. You might be surprised by what you learn about yourself.

Getting Out of My Own Head

2010-11-30T15:32:00.000-05:00

Why do we as women often become overwhelmed by nothing? At times, I have been known to become over-emotional because I let my irrational feelings stew and fester until the originating culprit becomes unrecognizable. In other words, I forget what started the whole emotional roller coaster in the first place.

For some of us, we worry too much over little things, or we over-analyze situations and make something dramatic out of nothing. For others, we try too hard and become disappointed when our expectations are not met. I myself have been guilty of all of these and other self-indulgent behaviors at some time or another.

We need to remind ourselves of God's amazing love for us, and how sufficient it truly is.

¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands. -Psalm 119:10

14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name." -Psalm 91:14

³¹ My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words,

but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are

greedy for unjust gain. ³² Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love

songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but

do not put them into practice. -Ezekiel 33:31-32

All through the Psalms, God's love for us is expressed over and over again. So how do we really learn and accept this fact so deeply that we're able to live accordingly and never forget?

1) By studying His word regularly, and memorizing such verses

2) By praying that our hearts will be open to His words

3) By writing down those verses that speak to us

4) By fellow believers holding each other accountable. In our ungrateful behavior, as well as our relationships with Christ.

So what do you need accountability and prayer in? Make an effort to reach out to a spouse, family member or friend and ask for accountability in these things.

More on India

2010-11-30T07:38:00.001-05:00

The details of our trip are coming together easily, thanks to the efforts of the team members that have gone in previous years. As a team, we still need to raise about $5,700! God has provided sufficiently and quickly for some of us, and will provide for the rest in his will. We had a late comer to the team, so much of the funds still needed are for her. But we all have a specific role in this journey, and He has already given hints as to how He will use each of our gifts.

We will take a day trip to visit the Taj Mahal as a personal, tourist time for the team. But we will also take a 2 day trip with some of the older girls from the home, to the Darjeeling Tea Farm, by train, and will be staying overnight to visit a zoo the following day! Though I'm a bit concerned about the zoo and the conditions that the animals my be kept in a foreign country, this will be an AMAZING time of fellowship and bonding with these girls.

We leave for India in approximately 6 weeks, and our funds are due in 2! There are 9 of us going, so it is not quite as overwhelming as it sounds. Thank you so much to family and friends who have found it in their hearts to give funds for this trip. Lives will surely change, including mine. I have reached my personal goal of fund raising, but if you would like to give in support of the team and to help pay for our Tea Farm trip with the girls, please send checks payable to Victory Church with “Jamie Forberger-India Missions Trip” written in the memo line. Mail your gift to Victory Church 1827 Freedom Road Suite 103 Lancaster, PA 17601. You will receive a receipt of your gift in the form of a Year End Giving Statement from our Finance Department.

Feeling a Cold or Allergies Sneaking Up on You?

2010-11-21T11:42:00.002-05:00

I get a little stuffy in the morning sometimes. Or I notice that I'm sneezing a lot. Or I've got a little tingle in back of my throat. When these bothersome symptoms make an appearance, I reach for my Neti Pot (see at left). Don't be scared, it's not even close to being a new concept, though it is foreign. It's been used in India and other regions for hundreds of years. It uses warm saline to rinse impurities and pesky cold germs from your sinuses and nasal cavity.

I know, it sounds weird, gross and unpleasant. But I assure you that it is not. I'm able to breath freely through my mouth when using it. And with a little practice, I was able to manipulate the flow down my pharynx, into my mouth to get rid of the pesky scratchy throat.

People with bad allergies have found great relief when using the Neti Pot regularly. But... it is possible to over do it. Make sure the water isn't too hot, only warm. There is also beneficial bacteria in there that you don't want to strip away completely.

This is only my personal recommendation based on my experience. If you're unsure, ask your doctor. But I've had great success with it. They come in travel size, plastic and ceramic.

Oh, and for all of you Dr. Oz fans, he recommends it as well. He introduced it to the American public on Oprah a couple years ago. Since then, it's become all the craze here.

Health Consultations

2010-11-19T19:30:00.000-05:00

Two months ago I began my studies to become a certified Health Counselor. At the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I am not only learning to take care of myself, but I am receiving very detailed and careful instruction on how to counsel others around food and lifestyle choices.

Part of my course requirements is to perform free health consultations with other people.

I'd like to invite you to do a session with me. You'll have the opportunity to talk about your life, your dreams and goals you've always wanted to accomplish. This is an opportunity for you to be heard and to feel a sense of support in your life. I'd like to share this time with you, to support you in living an even happier, healthier life. In this consultation, we will spend an hour reviewing your Health History Form and your goals for your own health. We'll get to know each other, and get a sense of what it will feel like to possibly work together in the future, once I start seeing clients.

I'd appreciate the opportunity to share this time with you and allow you to talk about your life and health. Our time together is free and confidential, and we can speak over the phone, or meet wherever you feel comfortable.

If you're interested in sharing this time, maybe learning a little something about yourself and helping me complete my homework, send me an email at jforberger@gmail.com.

The Countdown to India Has Officially Begun

2010-11-18T18:36:00.000-05:00

Last night was an imperative meeting for our India Missions Trip with Victory Church. We discussed our travel arrangements, activities with the girls, different ministries we will be doing,and what to pack for our trip. Pam was SOOOO excited to share what she found at the store... the Dreamie Fleece. One of the concerns on previous trips was that the conditions in various hotels were so dirty, that they didn't want to soil their clean sheets at the beginning of the trip. With the Dreamie Fleece, Pam can snuggle into her fleece pouch and cover herself with the hotel blankets on top. Pure genius. There's even a pouch at the top to hold your pillow. But I digress...

Discussing the devotion time, games we'll be playing, and quality time we'll be spending with these orphaned girls, got me so excited to get there. I don't even care about the 4 hour Jeep rides at 50 MPH on dirt roads (in case you're unaware, I get majorly car sick). It's all for the glory of God. I've never been out of the country, or on a missions trip. I CANNOT wait to see what He has in story for us, and what He teaches me through this trip.

I am still in need of about $350 to cover all of my expenses. If you feel led to give monetarily to my trip, please make checks payable to Victory Church with “Jamie Forberger-India Missions Trip” written in the memo line. Mail your gift to Victory Church, 1827 Freedom Road Suite 103, Lancaster, PA 17601. You will receive a receipt of your gift in the form of a Year End Giving Statement from our Finance Department. This will count as a charitable contribution on your 2010 tax return. All monies are due by December 15th.

Thank you again to everyone who has given so far, and those who will give now. I love you all, and appreciate your support.

Welcome to my attempt at blogging!

2010-11-18T13:30:00.001-05:00

My hope and prayer for this blog is that it will be used to accomplish the following things...

To improve my writing skills
To inform my community of what I've been learning
To document my journey and the monumental changes in my life
To glorify God by expressing my heart and love for Him

So, we'll see how it goes.