About a month ago, (give or take), I was introduced to  Arbonne Essentials through a fellow member of an organization that I am affiliated with that promotes networking and entrepreneurship among women. I was late to our monthly meeting and missed the presentation, but after everything drew to a close I gravitated towards the table that consisted of the Arbonne products. There were makeup pallets, facial cleansers, and such but I was drawn to the packets of protein powders, and teas. I spoke with the representative of the company who delivered the lecture. I was intrigued and opened up. I am a novice in nutrition and my approach to food is beyond gluttonous. My peers tend to think because I am skinny, because “I can eat whatever I want” without any worry about gaining weight, I have no concerns or reason to complain. In reality, I have a major concern, two as a matter of fact, I am unhealthy (despite my physical attributes), and on a pathway to severe judgement as for many years I have made food my god and my refuge.

You shall have no other gods before me -Exodus 20:3 NIV-

GOD is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble -Psalm 46:1 NIV-

I have used food as means to cope and a substitute for past addictions. The result has made me internally ill. I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count how many times I have finished off groceries in the car before making it home or stuffing my face with junk food in the middle of my intimate time with God. After speaking with the representative, Leslie, she recommended the Arbonne 30-Day Cleanse and provided me with some material to conduct my own research. For the remainder of that week I studied the handout she gave me and browsed the website. Arbonne Essentials has an array of products from skincare, bath/body, nutrition, makeup, and hair; all vegan & gluten/cruelty free. Within weeks of correspondence with Leslie, I secured my membership by ordering the Special Value Pack designed as a starter kit to aid me in the first 30 days.

Within days I was connected to a FB group with tips, and instructions on how to use the program to its full potential. Nowadays we jump on diet trends because it is the “it” thing everyone is doing; yet we stop when we get bored or tired and retort back to our old ways. I appreciate that Leslie, my consultant, clearly articulated to me that this program is designed to change our lifestyle, to aim towards more sustainable health and living. As much as I despise the way I feel, and have been feeling for years, for a while I had yet to take responsibility for the choices I made that led to said feelings, and blamed it on life’s circumstances. I shackled myself with the spirits of fear, regret, offense, and living in the past; all of which have catered to my toxic relationship with food. In order to take this seriously, I dusted off one of my old notebooks to use strictly for this program.

The first step to solving a problem is to identify what is wrong. As I read through the PDF files, posts, and documents provided by the FB group, the pen began to move and fill the pages.

I wrote and studied until sun shone and the clock ticked past my bed time. As a believer I knew this was a journey I could not accomplish alone. Although I have Leslie as I guide, I could not depend on her affirmations and my own strength alone. Being led by my own strength has accomplished nothing for me. That’s right, NOTHING!  So that night before I went to bed, I prayed to God asking him for self-control, perseverance, peace, and fearlessness; considering where I work, temptations are EVERYWHERE. Then I remembered in Paul’s words:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so you can endure it. -1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV-

With the help of the shopping lists and recipes provided by the PDF files, I coordinated a menu to begin this week (July 1st – July 6th). After my most recent encounter with my consultant I have a clearer understanding on how to incorporate particular products in my meals so I can gather the cleansing benefits without the dread of taking them on in one period. To put it in perspective, think of having to take a said amount of pills/vitamins within the same time frame; one after the other…after the other… …after the other… … …after the other.

Well, that is the just of it, for now. I am beyond excited to go forth with this program, anticipating the results, and getting back into the habit of writing and blogging, something that I love and always wanted to do but never fully perused because of those shackles I used to bound myself. I hope you, the reader, will be present with me as I share in the moments. Like, comment, share…and I will see you in the next one!