“What exactly is #omwg?” you ask. Well, let me tell you …
#omwg actually started out as #omhg, aka ohmyholygoodness. My entire life I was extremely obsessed with food, especially sugary, baked treats that I made homemade. God definitely blessed me with a gift and a heart to bake. Every time I created something spectacular or came across something that looked, smelled and tasted phenomenal, it became #omhg! I had a sweet tooth like none other. I never really realized the magnitude of my obsession, and how much it controlled my thought processes and, as a result, my habits. Honestly, I have been on a journey of discovery over the past few years. The Lord revealed that I had a very unhealthy relationship with food, especially baked goods. There were so many emotional attachments that stemmed from my childhood. Emotional triggers that could send me into a food frenzy at any given point of a day.
As I began to identify the triggers and unhealthy eating habits that derived from them, I started to see a much different perspective of #omhg. The Lord began dealing with each of the bad habits I had developed over many years of PTSD from those emotional triggers. Suddenly #omhg was no longer this pleasant thought, because it represented my brokenness. My insecurities. My soul wounds. Despite those negative notions, I knew that my cooking and baking gifts were from the Lord. This did not make sense to my mind logically. This “good gift” from the Lord was now tainted somehow. But God doesn’t give tainted gifts, only GOOD and PERFECT ones as James 1:17 proclaims.
James 1: 17
Every GOOD and PERFECT GIFT is from ABOVE, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Since cooking and baking were such a huge part of my life, I knew I had to figure out a way to shift this negative mindset I had developed over the years. This task … in my mind … IMPOSSIBLE. But to the Lord … POSSIBLE! I had to cling to the scripture Matthew 19:26 in order to walk this one out.
Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is IMPOSSIBLE, but with God ALL THINGS are POSSIBLE.”
I began this process by researching foods. What foods were healthy for me? How many hidden toxins are actually in our foods? I became very good at reading labels and understanding what sneaky words companies would use to hide added sugars, preservatives, and chemicals. I now understood why buying “organic,” “grass fed,” and “pasture raised” type foods were the best choice for my body. Funny to think, I always stereotyped people who spent the extra money on these foods as “yuppies” trying to create an image for themselves. Whoa … how wrong was I?!? Repented, immediately! I had so much knowledge now, that I couldn’t believe just how wrong I was! You should have seen me the first time I went to the grocery store with this new knowledge. It was extremely difficult! I remember thinking to myself, “I don’t think I can buy ANYTHING in the store, except for organic produce!” It took me over 3 hours on that shopping trip, muddling through the aisles, reading all the labels, and feeling completely overwhelmed. I never wanted to go back there … lol! But after about 6-8 weeks, I started to find products and brands that I knew were safe and good for me. I started to see the light on the other side of the overwhelming.
Next, I had to purge all the “old and unhealthy” food from my pantry. Oh this task … nothing but frustrating! I have had the mindset for so long to be frugal, to buy for economy sake. And now, to throw it all away?! This was a very difficult task for me.
In working with my wellness coach, I shared that since baking was a huge component of my life, I could not stop being a baker. I felt as though I would lose my identity if I eliminated baking from my life completely. So I had to figure out how to modify it. Modify it to healthy. My baking pantry needed to be transformed to healthy ingredients. I am proud to say, even though it took me over a year to accomplish, I have completely transformed my entire baking and cooking pantry over to healthy and organic brands. I have also taught myself how to cook and bake using those same ingredients. I also know how to modify my favorite recipes into “healthy” ones by making the necessary substitutions. I have come a long, long way on this journey!
Portion control and understanding when I was actually satiated was the next task to focus on. The Holy Spirit made me very sensitive to how I felt “after” I ate. I was usually miserable, bloated, and so full I could bust. I did not want to feel that way anymore! I kept cutting back my portion sizes, until I realized what was appropriate for me. Sometimes this meant that I would only eat half as much as I did previously. This was a continual process of learning. It reminded me of sanctification. I had to choose daily. I had to choose at each meal. I had to choose at each event. I had to make the choice to stop before it was too late … again and again. After doing this for almost a year now, I know what my “true” limits are.
Through all of this training, the Lord revealed that #omhg was actually #omwg, aka ohmywhollygoodness. These were the food and experiences that were full of His WHOLENESS and GOODNESS.
He showed me that His GOODNESS is present in ALL things, even including food. He asked me to start paying attention and searching for it. And when I discovered it, I was to TASTE and SEE in a tangible way the food and experiences that He had prepared for me. Not only would the food TASTE GOOD, but it would BE GOOD for me as well! Those are the food and experiences that are actually #omwg!
Psalm 34:8
TASTE and SEE that the LORD is GOOD; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
#OMWG Living a Life of [ohmywhollygoodness] is an endeavor to support women in their struggle to find Wholeness, Health, and the GOODNESS of GOD. It is the culmination of my personal experiences and talents combined into one recipe, baked to perfection for others. We can lock shields together to support one another on our journeys to Health, Wholeness and Balance.
Psalm 27:13
I remain confident of this: I will see the GOODNESS of the LORD in the land of the living.
The Lord beckons you to come and sup with Him and “TASTE and SEE” that the Lord is GOOD! Let’s share our experiences that are FULL of Health, Wholeness and Balance … and see for yourself what the #omwg life is like!
Please join in our quest to “TASTE and SEE” the GOODNESS of the LORD in our private FB group:
#OMWG Living a Life of [ohmywhollygoodness]
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