Reshaping It All (23 page)

Mandy's been admitted to the hospital more than one hundred times, not counting visits for research, blood work, or doctor's appointments. Yet somehow the Young family has managed to say that happiness leads to health, and without it we can't live life to its fullest. In the face of adversity, all they could do is find a way to laugh and to bring joy to others through laughter as well. It's a big thing in their lives to embrace humor, and I've seen that at forty thousand feet in the air.

The Pantry

CHOCKED-FULL OF FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The Main Ingredient

Contentment is hard to come by sometimes, especially when it feels like the world is against us. But we can take steps to move ourselves toward a contented life. We can count our blessings for one. Just by looking around us, we can see the many wonderful things that God is doing in our life, but we need to be willing to look. Accept who you are and give thanks that you're one of a kind.

A Slice of Advice

Dear Candace,

A friend of mine told me that she took her daughter to see you when you were in Columbus, Ohio, and they absolutely loved your testimony. I'm crazy jealous now because I was your biggest fan growing up, and I probably still am. I watched every episode of
Full House
and now my daughter and I are watching
Make It or Break It
together. We're both excited that you have a Christian testimony.

I live in Odessa, Texas, and I was wondering if you ever travel out here to speak? My daughter and I would love to meet you and get an autographed photo if possible.

—Stephanie

Dear Stephanie,

It's exciting to know that I have a mother and daughter team cheering me on in Texas!

I travel to churches around the U.S. so often that I'm bound to get out to your area one of these days. And now I hope that I will! If you're not following me on Twitter, I suggest that you do because the readers there are always updated on what's happening next. So if I'm going to be in your area, you'll probably see me tweeting about it.

Also check out my Web site at www.candacecameronbure.net, where you'll find a calendar announcing my upcoming speaking engagements. I always post them months in advance.

If you don't want to wait, you can purchase personally autographed photos, copies of my testimony on CD, and T-shirts. Just go to the shop link.

Keep watching
Make It or Break It,
and I hope to see you both soon!

—Candace

A Pinch of Practicality

If you are looking for ways to burn extra calories or get in a little exercise, here are a few practical steps you can take:

• Park far away in a parking lot. Why look for a close spot when you can seize the opportunity to get a few extra steps in?

• Always try to take the stairs. I always do. Even if it's ten floors. In the mall, take the stairs.

• Walk wherever you can. We live in a place where there are coffee shops and restaurants within a mile or two. Instead of taking the car, we often walk.

• Shovel the snow or mow the lawn before your husband comes home. A lot of women wait for the man to do the job, but it's an awesome opportunity to exercise and surprise your husband in the process.

You'll find cities where people are thinner in general. Cities like New York, Toronto, and European cities in general because they are walking cities.

People spend too much time in their car these days, so change that and make a point of walking where you can. If you have groceries to pick up or you have to go to the post office, walking there will benefit you with fresh air and exercise.

The Candy Dish

Contentment is a pearl of great price, and whoever procures it at the expense of ten thousand desires makes a wise and a happy purchase. —John Balguy

From My Stove to Yours

Turkey Meatloaf

Ingredients

1 lb of ground turkey

1 egg

½ cup of Italian style bread crumbs

½ cup Old Fashioned Quaker Oats

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 small onion, chopped

½ cup ketchup

¼ cup mustard

Directions

Combine all ingredients. You'll have to roll up your sleeves and mix this one by hand. Press into a meatloaf or bread pan and cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until cooked through.

FOURTEEN

Learn the Art of Dining Out

Each and every time I close my front door, I leave with the knowledge that health is a twenty-four-hour commitment. I know I'll be busy, I know I'll be on the road, and I know that time could work against me at any moment. But with that knowledge I also know that regardless of what comes my way, I have options to choose from that work for the health of my body. I share this mind-set with Val and the kids. It's important to all of us that we live well, whether at home or at work. Health is one thing Val and I both have in common, and we strive to instill it in the lives of our kids.

I love food. I love the smell, I love the taste, I love the variety. But I think we all have to come to terms with the fact that first and foremost, food is fuel for our bodies. Let's get the entertainment aspect of it out of our heads for a minute and realize that it doesn't have to be a 24-7 buffet.

God calls us to be content, and contentment cannot abide with greed, nor can it abide with self-pity. A content person will be just as happy to eat an entree in a restaurant as she will a salad on the go. I've learned to appreciate abundance, and I've learned also to appreciate those times when I've had to skip a meal or grab a granola bar as I'm heading out the door.

For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Phil. 4:11–12)

Val and I both love good food. When dining out, we'll check out the top-rated and best new restaurants to see what the buzz is all about. It's great to go to a new restaurant on date night. I'll call a babysitter so we can have some adult time, and off we'll go dressed in our LA best.

The restaurants can be pricey, but the food looks as beautiful on the plate as it is delicious. We love to pair food and wine. In fact, since retiring from hockey, Val launched his own wine label in 2007 out of Napa Valley, California, "Bure Family Wines."

We like to experiment and don't hesitate when ordering food we've never tasted before. In fact, we like to try as many new items as we possibly can. It's not uncommon for each of us to order an appetizer or two apiece as well as an entree, and regardless of what we order, we trade halfway through our meal. However, just because I have a lot of food on my plate, that doesn't mean I eat it all. I'll have four or five bites of each thing and put it off to the side. My taste buds experience a full palette of flavor when I'm eating out. For Val and me fine dining is something we splurge on. Some spend on jewelry, others spend on cars, and we like to spend on fine food. And I've gotten over the issue of bringing home a doggy bag. Restaurants serve portions way too big, and I order way too much. In most cases I wouldn't hesitate to ask.

Going to a restaurant can be a treat, but for that reason we often feel entitled to go for it and eat whatever we want regardless of whether or not it's a good choice. Sometimes there might be so many options that our eyes start to wander into the land of decadence. Instead of focusing on what you shouldn't be eating, think of all the wonderfully healthy choices on the menu that you don't have to cook! Dining out shouldn't be an excuse for so-called deserved indulgence, so if you have so many good things to choose from, why would you need to indulge?

Here's where contentment comes into play. Ask yourself what's best for your body, and stick with that plan. If you've already eaten a large lunch, then maybe you'll want to have an appetizer-size portion for dinner. Or if you've had a bagel for breakfast and pasta for lunch—two high-carb meals—you might want to go for a salad with some protein or a vegetable dish for your dinner. Don't grumble or dwell on a feeling of discontentment because you're not getting all that you hoped for. Instead stop hoping and be content with what you have.

When I'm out to dinner, I won't even glance at the pasta section on the menu. I just don't look. I don't tempt myself by reading the write-up and considering the option. I don't say, "I really, really want this cream sauce with bacon, but, ugh, I have to eat a salad!" (frown). I don't eat pasta at night, and I'm aware of those boundaries because I determined them beforehand. I can go through my head, recap what I ate for breakfast and lunch, and then make the best choice for dinner. I won't salivate over something I don't want to consider.

A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough. (1 Tim. 6:6–8 The Message)

When I speak at church events, they often take me to restaurants, but sometimes they have big potlucks. I've gotta tell you that some of that southern food sure does surprise me! Don't get me wrong, it tastes great, but heavy butter, mayo, deep-dish casseroles, fried everything, and melted cheese . . . I could run screaming to the nearest deli, or I could take direction from God who wants me to be content with the food that I have.

In those situations I'm really just thankful that I have been given a meal at all, and I make do. I'll take small portions of cream spinach, lasagna, macaroni casserole, and pasta salads. Although I am really happy if I find a piece of lettuce or tomato in there somewhere!

Bottom line is that if someone has gone to an effort for you, such as dinner at a friend's house, or delivered a meal when you're sick, make an exception to your rule and accept the food with thanks. Make the best choices you can within the parameters offered to you, and don't always expect to pamper your palette.

By now you know I don't eat fast food. Burgers, fries, pizza, etc., are not foods I typically eat. If I'm working, I know I'll need energy, so I choose food that will give me fuel. Bread and cheese will weigh me down. I need protein and vegetables for energy and stamina, especially when I'm sharing my testimony to an audience of thousands. I know I'll be on my feet all night speaking, meeting and greeting many people after the event.

I always travel with a companion, so I'm rarely alone. Sometimes we are short on time when I arrive at a city and don't always have time to sit down and eat. If that's the case, I will ask if there is a sandwich shop or a place like Panera Bread nearby where we can grab a quick salad. If my only option is a typical fast food joint, I'll pass. I won't starve. I can wait. It's a brilliant opportunity just to skip it and donate to a charity close to my heart, http://www.skip1.org. I skip a meal, and they feed a child! Now my hunger pains are really doing some good. Skipping a meal is always an option for me when I have limited choices. 

Because of traveling and work, I've dined out a lot over the years. In fact, when I was young, the majority of my meals were at restaurants. There were certain years, when I was on
Full House
and my brother Kirk was on
Growing Pains
that our busy schedules were so much for our parents it was crazy. At that time we ate out a lot more than we did at home, but that didn't mean that I was allowed to eat French fries and drink milk shakes all night. My parents still ensured that we ordered a reasonably healthy meal, whether we wanted to or not.

I eat at home more now than I ever did, and I love it because Val's a great chef. The kids have school and sports, and we have our routine, so we'll eat at home during the week. But on Friday nights we like to take them out too. My kids know how to behave and enjoy dinner at a nice restaurant. I love that Maks likes putting on his "nice" jeans and fancy button-down shirt. He sprays on some of Val's cologne and makes sure his hair looks nice. That being said, long dinners aren't always their favorite thing to do. They prefer something quicker, which might be a Mexican restaurant like Chipotle, La Salsa, or Baja Fresh, but regardless of where we go, Val and I ensure that they make wise choices when they order. Kids like to complain. I know that as much as any mom. But the more I have taught them to try new food and make nutritious choices, the more they have come to like it. With a bit of practice and a good attitude, contentment is something we can all train ourselves to accept.

Health isn't just about the food we eat or how much exercise we get in a day; it's also about attitude. Approaching weight loss with a sense of contentment will bring you a lot further than a sense of entitlement ever will. Suppressing our desires can be hard at times, but if we go at it with a good attitude, we start to see that our half-empty glass is half full. Attitude powers motivation, and motivation is exactly what we need to move on.

I'm reminded of a Bible verse that talks about fasting. I think it's also a really good lesson to apply to our diet.

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. (Matt. 6:16)

We entertain a lot, usually on the weekend. We'll fire up the barbeque, make a few salads, and have family and friends over. If I'm cutting back on my meal, or if I happen to be fasting that day (for prayer purposes, never to lose weight), I don't feel the need to announce, "Hey, I'm dying for a piece of that salmon." Or, "Man, I wish this fast was over already!" I know and the Lord knows what's going on, and that's good enough for me.

I just grab a glass of water and join in the conversation as I normally would. No one really notices, and everyone has a good time. At the end of the day, I'm not any worse off. The grilled salmon will still be there tomorrow, and I can always eat then.