The Progressing Pilgrim

Insights for developing a healthy body, mind and spirit

My Deadlift Injury And The Starr Rehab Program- Weekly Workouts 8/28-9/4

By Leave a Comment

This week was the first time I wasn’t able to complete a lift session because of pain. On the 5th rep on my second working set of deadlifts (235# 1 x 5), I felt a shooting pain travel down the left side of my lower back.

Because it hurt a lot more than an ordinary back spasm, I thought I had torn a muscle. As it turned out, I hadn’t, but the experience reminded me that I had to pay special attention to how I lifted going forward.

I had suffered three episodes of bad back spasms in the last two months, and now I had the worst one during a lift. Something wasn’t right.

It was time to reevaluate my lifting program. [Read more…]

Wrongly Feeding Jesus’ Sheep: Obesity In The Church

By Leave a Comment

It’s a given that the Church is supposed to be responsible for its members’ spiritual needs. In a sense, the church feeds the sheep.

To be sure, the church also is to show concern for the physical needs of its members. 

Churches have deacon funds that help its members with financial hardships. They have food pantries that supply food to the hungry. And church leaders often also anoint, pray, and care for the sick.

But what about the physical health of the church members before they get sick? Does the church have a responsibility to warn its members of unhealthy physical activities that lead to physical illness? [Read more…]

Low-Carb Wednesday: How To Make A Perfect Pan Seared Flat Iron Steak

By Leave a Comment

Today Barbara, my better half and founder of The Gluten Free Homestead has a recipe for you. Thanks to Barbara for sharing this steak recipe.

You know those crazy days when you need to get dinner on the table quick, and you’d really rather have reservations booked at the fancy steakhouse?

Why not turn your own kitchen into a steakhouse? 😉

Today, I’m sharing my super easy steps for cooking the juiciest flat iron steak. Marinated and seared to perfection. And topped with a luscious red wine sauce. [Read more…]

My Friend Jerry’s Fight With Diabetes And Obesity: Part 1

By Leave a Comment

Recently, I went to the hospital to visit my friend Jerry (name changed). He was recovering from heart failure. He’s also obese, a type 2 diabetic taking insulin and a slew of other meds for various conditions.

As I entered his room, he was in the middle of eating his lunch. I was shocked at what his medical team thought was a healthy meal. Now, remember, he’s a type 2 diabetic with heart disease, and he’s in a controlled setting (a hospital).

On his plate was a small piece of fish. It was a little dried out, but after all, it’s hospital food. Great so far.

But next to the fish was an ice-cream-scoop-size portion of rice and a medium sized hard roll. To wash down the meal, he was given some fruit juice. There was a little salad on the side too.

I was wondering when the dessert tray was going to be brought in.

Seriously, though, seeing Jerry’s lunch, I couldn’t help thinking, “Are they trying to heal him and kill him at the same time?” [Read more…]

Low-Carb Wednesday: Delicious Short Ribs

By Leave a Comment

Today Barbara, my better half and founder of The Gluten Free Homestead has a recipe for you. Thanks to Barbara for sharing this slow cooker recipe.

This is the ultimate low-carb, paleo and gluten-free comfort food. Seared beef short ribs simmer in your slow cooker in a beautiful red wine sauce until the meat is so tender and juicy it literally falls right off the bone.

These mouthwatering short ribs are one of my go-to recipes when I know I’m going to have a busy day, but I want to enjoy a savory dish for dinner. They take just twenty minutes to prepare in the morning, and then I leave them in the slow cooker and let them cook all day until my family sits down to eat in the evening. [Read more…]

Low-Carb Wednesday: Broiled Lamb Chops

By Leave a Comment

lamb chops

Today Barbara, my better half and founder of  The Gluten Free Homestead has a recipe for you. This recipe is a perfect dinner for two. Barbara has prepared a free eBook of Dinner for 2 recipes for you, so be sure to check out how to get your copy below!

Today I have a new twist on an old favorite for you. Mmm… lamb chops are so delicious; a little bit beefy and a little bit mildly-sweet. The rib bone makes a nice little handle with a nugget of meat to savor with each bite! And this time you can try a new sauce on the chops: chermoula.

Sauces are a wonderful way to add a new twist to favorite meals. Chermoula is a spicy herb marinade or sauce used in Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian cuisine. It usually is served over fish, but it can also be used with meat. What better meat for this sauce than lamb? I tweaked my version of Chermoula until the combination of spices was the perfect balance of flavors. It’s super easy to whip together, and you’ll have a tasty dinner in a matter of minutes.  [Read more…]

10 Ways Walking Can Improve Your Body And Mind – Weekly Workout

By Leave a Comment

Everyone loves to tout the benefits of their own exercise program. Whether it’s high-intensity interval training or strength training or some form of aerobic exercise, their program is guaranteed to make you healthier.

There is, however, one program that has stood the test of time. It was recommended by Thomas Jefferson over 230 years ago. He said,

If the body be feeble, the mind will not be strong. The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of all the exercises walking is best. I have known some great walkers and had particular accounts of many more; and I never knew or heard of one who was not healthy and long lived.

Now, I don’t know if walking is the best health protocol for both body and mind, but from my own experience and according to the scientific data, it’s certainly one of the best. Let’s see why. [Read more…]

Grace Trumps Race

By Leave a Comment

The Bible is not always explicit on social issues except when it is. In Numbers chapter 12, the scripture is very explicit on the sin of racism. God doesn’t take it lightly, especially when it’s used to thwart His sovereign grace. Miriam and Aaron learned that lesson the hard way.

Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. (Numbers 12: 1-2)

[Read more…]

Low-Carb Wednesday: Pan-Seared Scallops with Beurre Blanc Sauce

By Leave a Comment

scallops

Today Barbara, my better half and founder of The Gluten Free Homestead has a recipe for you. Thanks to Barbara for sharing this incredible recipe.

Pan-seared scallops with beurre blanc sauce is an excellent choice when you want to prepare a special, scrumptious, low-carb meal. If you’re following a low-carb diet, you will find that low carb, gluten-free meals can still be delicious and exciting. Yay!

Beurre blanc is a French warm butter sauce that’s perfect with scallops or any type of fish. You will love how it compliments the mild seafood flavor of the fluffy, seared scallops.

With very little effort, this recipe delivers a delightful meal. And you can impress your friends and family by making a classic French dish. [Read more…]

How A 60 Year-Old Prevents Weightlifting Injuries – Weekly Workout

By Leave a Comment

When I tell people who are the same age as me that I lift heavy weights, the inevitable exclamation is, “You’d better be careful you don’t hurt yourself.” Sometimes the person is genuinely concerned but sometimes it comes across as an admonishment.

As in, “Do you think it’s safe for someone your age to lift weights?”

Can this 60-year old man hurt himself lifting weights? Sure, but I can get hurt in a thousand different ways if I’m not careful. If I follow the plan and allow my body to recover well, I should be fine. [Read more…]