The Whole Youth Worker

The Whole Youth Worker:

Advice on Professional, Personal, and Physical Wellness from the Trenches

If you are looking for an insider's guide to youth ministry, this is the book for you. The book deals with subjects that are not covered in seminary.

Inside the book you'll find advice on:

Shining like a pro in staff and board meetings
Acting like a professional in the office
Making the most out of the space you have
Making your next lock-in spectacular
Dealing with criticism
Youth group romances
Creating a vision for your ministry
Professional and personal ethics
Ministering when times are tough
Creating a parent-friendly youth ministry
Being a professional youth minister without a seminary degree
And much more!

This book goes beyond the typical youth ministry guide book because it deals with an area of worship that you may not have considered, PHYSICAL WELLNESS!Ministry professionals and volunteers are such selfless people that they often neglect themselves. Included in this book is a section with easy to implement tips and information about living a healthy lifestyle. The book contains advice on:
Keeping those nasty little colds away
Eating healthy while your on the road with your group
Exercising while your on the road

The Whole Youth Worker comes complete with a menu guide to the most popular fast food places nation-wide. All of the menu choices are 300 calories or less! Also included is a simple workout routine that you can do anywhere with no equipment needed!

Check it out! http://www.betteryouthministry.com/

Writer's-on-Wednesdays

I am the featured writer on the Koala Bear Writer blog. Check out my interview on Writer's-on-Wednesdays at

http://thekoalabearwriter.blogspot.com/

Blessings on the road to health & fitness!

Christmas Eating Tips

I recently received the 10 tips below in my email inbox. I learned that Craig Wilson had written it as a reporter with USA Today a few years ago. I laughed out loud when I read it and so thought I would share it with all my health conscious readers! Have a good laugh!

Christmas eating tips:

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday Buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It’s rare. You can’t find it any other time of the year but now, so drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It’s a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me, Have two. It’s later that you think, it’s Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone, pour it on! Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes, fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is a time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10 pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, pumpkin, mincemeat…have a slice of each. Or if you don’t like mincemeat, have two apples and a pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid at all costs. I mean, I have standards.

10. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Keep fit during the holidays?

'Tis the season to enjoy eggnog, Turtles, and rumballs. But what about our tireless efforts to stay healthy? How do you manage to keep fit throughout the holiday season?

Every Monday and Wednesday and Friday for the next month, I plan to feature an interview from regular people – to learn what they have to say about managing the holiday season and New Year Resolutions .

Their answers to nine general questions are guaranteed to inspire and motivate you to stay fit throughout the holiday season!

Want to share your own answers? Email me at withinreach [at] nexicom [dot] net to ask for the questionnaire and I will send it to you.

Blessings on the road to health!