5 Things I Learned In February 2020

Another month is behind us. It’s been a practice of mine to take a moment or two and reflect back, and as I do regarding February 2020, I realize I’ve learned a few things along the way.

Here are 5 things I learned in February 2020:

1. Setting a fitness goal motivates me.

I began 2020 with a fitness goal to walk/run 75 miles in January. This goal kept me focused and inspired. As I finished it, I thought it would be wise to set a fitness goal for February. That was to workout 25 out of the 29 days. Particularly on the days I didn’t feel like working out (which was often), my goal kept me going. It reminded me I could only take four days off in the month. If I wanted to complete this goal, I needed to keep going. That simple thought motivated me, even when I didn’t feel like working out.

I’ve struggled for days in setting my March fitness goal. Should my focus be on running? On weights? On both? No goal really stands out to me, so I guess I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. A mixture of both, cardio and weights for a minimum of 26 days out of the 31.

2. It’s a must for me to spend time with God each morning.

I set a new morning routine this year, and I tweaked it a bit in February. Cardio days: I workout straight out of bed. Weight days: I move my workout to later in the day. But no matter when I workout, I spend time with God each morning. I choose to do this because it drastically impacts me the rest of the day.

Lately my mind has become a battlefield. Some days lies consume my thoughts. Lies from the enemy of my soul. All. Day. Long. It’s ridiculous. It’s a must for me to fill my mind with God’s truth, His hope, and His love every morning. Otherwise, my thoughts will take me to places they should never go. To the depths of despair. My attitude follows, and then everything else. I become no good to anyone, especially to me.

So, each morning I begin by reading a couple devotionals. I dig into God’s Word, read a chapter or two from the book I’m currently reading, journal what God reveals to me, and then record something positive on the corresponding day in my planner. It took me some time to find the routine that works for me, but this is it. It helps me keep my thoughts, my eyes, my focus lifted. What a difference this makes!

3. Three powerful Bible verses impacted me in February 2020.

Here they are:

But Christ was sinless, and he offered himself as an eternal and spiritual sacrifice to God. That’s why his blood is much more powerful and makes our consciences clear. Now we can serve the living God and no longer do things that lead to death.

Hebrews 9:14 CEV

Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Put My yoke upon your shoulders—it might appear heavy at first, but it is perfectly fitted to your curves. Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. When you are yoked to Me, your weary souls will find rest. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 VOICE

You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You, for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You. So trust in the Eternal One forever, for He is like a great Rock—strong, stable, trustworthy, and lasting.

Isaiah 26:3-4 VOICE

What Bible verses impacted you this month?

4. I can eat less often and survive.

I began eating differently mid-February and will continue to do so through the season of Lent. I’m doing this thing called intermittent fasting. There are a number of ways to fast, but I’m eating for 8 hours of the day and fasting for 16. This is quite a change from my normal eating habits, but I’m learning much about myself as I do follow through. The biggest thing? I’m finding out I don’t need to eat all… day… long. I will share more on this in another post soon! Have you tried intermittent fasting? What do you think of it?

5. I found a new favorite recipe!

Don’t you just love it when you find new recipes that you absolutely love? The first time I made it I knew it was going to be one I’d make again and again. And I have! It’s White Chicken Chili. I’ll create another post dedicated to the recipe, but I’m sharing it here too.

WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 36 oz. chicken broth
• 2 15 oz. cans great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 7 oz. can diced green chiles (I use mild)
• 3/4 tsp. oregano
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
• 1/4 cup half and half (or milk)

Directions:

1. Place a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of olive oil in a large soup pot. Heat over medium heat until melted and add onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then add garlic for 1 minute, stirring often.
2. Add oregano, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir.
3. Add chicken, great Northern beans, green chiles, corn, and chicken broth. Stir.
4. Increase heat to medium-high and bring chili to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes or until the chili is thickened to your preference.
5. Add cream cheese and half and half. Stir and let simmer a few more minutes.
6. Serve, add desired toppings (we use sliced avocado, shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, sour cream), and enjoy!
   
   (If your chicken isn’t already cooked and shredded, cut the chicken in smaller pieces, add them to the soup and cook until the pieces reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Remove the chicken, shred, then return to the pot.)

Tell me, what did you learn in February 2020? I’d love to find out.

As we step into March, I pray God continues to grow us, teach us, lead us, and remind us just how much we’re loved!

Blessings!