E2L -- somewhere in week 2

Okay, I can't keep track of what day it actually is on the "plan" right now, and I just realized that it doesn't really matter, since this is supposed to be my new way of life!  I've altered the actual EAT TO LIVE diet, to extend a little more grace in the goal of actually living this way the rest of my life, but I got on the scale to check it out, and today (Tuesday), I weighed **4.  That's up 2 pounds from Friday, so maybe my idea is not such a great plan....

My recent thoughts had been:
MOST BENEFICIAL
Lots of:
   Fruits
   Veggies
   Nuts
   Seeds
   Beans
LESS BENEFICIAL
Limited:
   meat
   dairy
   potatoes
   rice
   flour
   sugar

If I say "no flour" and "no sugar," etc. then I end up feeling guilty if I have a little.  In the New Testament, God revealed to Peter than there were no longer forbidden foods--that all foods are clean, so I don't want to be like the Pharisees and create a law on top of God's that would declare some foods unclean that He hasn't.  HOWEVER, in an effort to honor God in my body I want to remember that all things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial!  Here are some verses rolling around in my heart:

I CORINTHAINS 6:12-13; 19-20, NLT

¹² You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. ¹³ You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. ¹⁴ And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.

¹⁹ Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, ²⁰ for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

^{I CORINTHIANS 10:23-33, NLT}

²³ You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. ²⁴ Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

²⁵ So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. ²⁶ For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

²⁷ If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience. ²⁸ (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. ²⁹ It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? ³⁰ If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?

³¹ So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ³² Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. ³³ I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

HEBREWS 12:1, 2, NLT

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

MAKE A FRESH START IN 10 EASY STEPS

1. Learn about The Four Pillars of healthy eating.
2. Start lunch and dinner with a big colorful salad.
3. Choose whole grains over refined.
4. Get healthy fats from whole foods — like nuts, seeds and avocados — rather than refined oils.
5. Reconfigure your plate so the majority of each meal is focused on vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, grains and legumes.
6. When choosing lean meats and seafood, as well as low-fat dairy products — begin to eat smaller portions.
7. Stock a healthier pantry.
8. Avoid processed and refined sweeteners and choose fresh, frozen and dried fruits to sweeten your dishes.
9. Avoid eating highly processed, refined foods.
10. Familiarize yourself with Cooking Methods for Healthy Eating