M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

The Blessing of Water
By Carolyn Allen

Thank you so much for the e-mails and letters that keep coming in. It is a joy to share the journey with you! I am delighted to share your recipes, so please send them to me at Caroyn@MyWeightLossFriend.com . Please include your name, ward and a bit about yourself. I know you'll enjoy today's salsa recipe!

Stay tuned for a wonderful opportunity that I'll be telling you about very soon where we'll have an opportunity to form an online Meridian weight loss team. You might want a sneak peak at www.MyWeightLossTeam.com . This beautiful site is owned and operated by Cam and Jen Torres, members of the Church in Tennessee.

To print out today's recipe and mini-poster, click here:

Today's Quote: “It is better to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent.” (Anon.)

Last week as our family listened to conference, I watched with joy as Spencer, my 19-year old nearly-to depart-missionary, carefully hemmed the new baptismal slacks he would need for his mission in London. As Elder Uchtdorf spoke of repentance, forgiveness and changes, I thought to myself, “My son will wear these in the waters of baptism where someone's life will be made clean and new again.”

My mind then wandered to the innumerable times both, modern and ancient, where water plays a key role in beneficially changing lives. From the ancient Israelites who experienced the parting of the Red Sea as they escaped from the Egyptians into safety, to the happy way a swim at the pool brings fun and relief from the heat on a hot summer day, water is a priceless blessing. Jesus

Jesus miraculously changed water into wine at the wedding in Cana, and loving mothers miraculously change the temperaments of irritable little ones with a soothing bath because water is truly one of nature's most powerful catalysts for positive change on many levels. Without it, no seed — whether it is a seed to grow a plant or a seed of hope to lose weight for the right reasons — will grow.

As if these actual events aren't enough to help us cherish the power of water to change days and lives, there is even more to consider when going to the Topical Guide and looking up “Living Waters.” Of the many delicious scriptures there, we can snack on I Nephi 11:25, as Nephi shares his vision of the Tree of Life, where he refers to the love of God as “the fountain of living waters.”

Then, in the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord says that “he that keepeth my commandments will I give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life.” No second portion was ever more satisfying than that promise.

These powerful visualizations of how water changes lives makes it easier to follow the essential weight loss habit of drinking six to eight glasses of water each day. Though it seems easy enough on paper to accomplish this, drinking enough water is often challenging, boring, or “just one more thing.”

For some individuals, it's literally “hard to swallow” the required quantity, or it simply doesn't taste as interesting as other beverages. Bladders that aren't used to accommodating this much liquid initially feel over-used and stretched, although like any muscle, they'll get quickly get stronger with regular exercise.

In his eye-opening book on the physical benefits of this simple habit, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj lists 46 reasons why your body needs water every day. Althought that's too many to list here, here are some highlights:

• Water is the one of the best diet tools of all. Drink water on time and you will not eat excessively when you feel hungry, but are, in fact only thirsty for water. (It's easy to prove this one; next time you think you're hungry and it's not time for a meal or snack, just get a drink instead and see how you feel in 15 minutes.)
• Without water, nothing lives. (Visualize how water immediately revives a tired plant.)
• Water is the main solvent for all foods, vitamins and minerals. It is used to break down food into smaller particles for their eventual metabolism and assimilation. This is why food without water has no value for the body. (That's an interesting eye-opener !)
• Water increases our attention span (and don't we need it to stay focused on healthy eating while living our busy lives ?)
• Water helps reduce stress, anxiety and depression (What a time and money saver! It only takes a second and it's FREE to drink some water!)
• Water restores normal sleep rhythms (Hear, Hear, early A.M. seminary friends!)
• Water gives luster and shine to the eyes, skin and hair. (Thank you! Who doesn't want to be naturally attractive?)

Now that we're educated and recommitted, what are some easy ways to get in that essential 6-8 glasses a day? With today's quote in mind, it's easy to both “prepare and prevent” and “repair and repent” with water, blessed water.

Five Easy Ways to Prepare for Health and Prevent Overeating with Water

1. Drink 16 ounces upon arising to get the day started and the systems flowing. How simple does it get? Drink another 16 ounces before lunch, and then again at dinner. There! The basic six are taken care of! Another easy habit is to fill three 16-ounce tumblers and place by the kitchen sink or at your work area first thing in the morning. Sip throughout the day. It's easy to sneak in another glass or two.

   Adding a tablespoon of lemon in the morning is especially helpful because it aids digestion and acts as a blood purifier. A tablespoon of lime has a high potassium content and is also extremely beneficial.

2. Make it an regular habit to drink 8-16 ounces of water before every meal. Change the flavor of water by adding a squirt of lemon, a dash of vanilla, or flavored ice cubes made with Crystal Light.

3. Carry a water bottle with you. Keep a case of water bottles in the trunk of your car. It's easy to squeeze in an extra 16-32 ounces while you're driving.

4. There is some proof that drinking ice water is said to burn a few more calories as the body “works” to bring it to body temperature. Drinking warm water is also helpful for the same reason.

5. Every couple of hours, get a glass of water and while drinking it, imagine a garden being watered on a hot afternoon, or a newly planted seed in dry ground. Your body and all its functions will respond with gratitude in exactly the same way, for it, too, is a living organism.

Five Easy Ways to Repair and Repent With Water

1. Flush out dietary over-indulgences with extra water, both immediately and over the next 24 hours. (Drinking carbonated beverages and even sports drinks requires several extra glasses of water to literally “rinse out” the additives. Think of the rinsing required to remove a stain as you drink. Eliminating these drinks, even those that are sugar-free, is one of the easiest ways to reduce daily calories.)

2. Water Retention: The only non-medical way to address water retention is to drink more water! As unlikely as it seems, the thirstier the body is, the more it will hold until it has reached a “saturation” point and can start to release. Think of a sponge and you've got the picture.

3. Stop a binge or manage cravings by quickly drinking 16 ounces of water.

4. Stop a binge or manage cravings by taking a quick bath or shower. It'll get you out of the kitchen and away from temptations. A quicker method is to simply go to a sink and gently wash your hands, concentrating on the flow of the water and visualizing its power to change your life through the scriptural stories mentioned above and your body through the other facts listed here.

5. Check the toilet: An adequate supply of water means urine that is pale yellow. Darker colors indicate an immediate need for more water.

Now, I ask you, what could be easier than simply getting a drink of water? We can change our days, bodies and our lives simply by drinking enough water. Thirsty, anyone?

Today's Empowerment : “Even as a garden thrives with proper moisture, my own body miraculously responds as I drink enough water throughout each day. It is a simple joy to drink enough water each and every day.”

Discussion Questions and Journal Starters

1. Consider your water and fluid intake. Is it enough? Which of the suggestions listed above feel right for you? How will you incorporate them? Do diet sodas play an unnecessary part in your life? How will you change this?
2. Have a brainstorming session and see how many scriptural stories and events center around water and how it changes events and lives. Relate it to your own need for water.
3. As a journal exercise, actively choose to get a drink of water instead of eating an unnecessary snack. Pay close attention to how your body responds, and then write a few sentences about your satisfaction level.
4. Express gratitude for your body and its ability to benefit from enough water through your journal and prayer.

Today's Recipe: Paula's Black Bean Salsa

Today's recipe comes from Paula Neff of Mapleton 18th Ward, Mapleton North Stake, Mapleton, Utah. She says, “I'm trying to remember that my body was given to my by my Heavenly Father and He expects me to take care of it so I can do the work he sent me here to do.  I also believe He wants me to enjoy my journey here on earth and when I carry too much extra weight around it's pretty hard to romp with the grandkids.”

I know it sounds weird, but this is a delicious topping for cottage cheese for a perfect 4:00 p.m. snack to tide you through until dinner.

1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can corn (drained)
1 lb. tomatoes, diced
1 avocado, diced
1 bunch of green onions, chopped (add more if you like)
Cilantro to taste
Zesty Italian Dressing to taste

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