🍎 TempleCare
Body Stewardship for Believers
“Honor God with your body.” — 1 Corinthians 6:20
📖🍎💪🏽🧴 TempleCare Fitness
How I Care For my Mind, Body, and Spirit
Through Faith, Wellness, and Everyday Routines
💖 What Temple Care Means
Temple Care is not about perfection.
It’s about honoring what God has given you—your body, your mind, and your spirit.
The Bible reminds us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
That means how we live, what we consume, and how we care for ourselves… it matters.
Not out of pressure.
Not out of rules.
But out of understanding and love.
😊 What I Actually Use (Real Life, Real Results)
Everything listed here is something I personally use.
These are not trends.
These are not guesses.
These are answers—things God led me to over time through prayer, consistency, and learning what works.
🔗 “This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.”
📖 My Foundation First (Spiritual Care)
Before anything else, this is where it starts for me.
The One-Year Bible (NLT)
This is something I have used for years—almost two decades.
(That’s why it looks like it is tore-up from the floor-up)! 😊
It’s arranged into 365 daily readings, and I’ve read it over and over again.
And every time, God shows me something new.
People ask me,
“How do you read the same Bible every year?”
Because it’s not just a book.
It’s God’s love letter to me.
And just like a love letter, you don’t read it once—you go back to it again and again.
My Bible is “tore up from the floor up.”
Pages marked, notes written, life recorded inside of it.
It’s not just Scripture—it’s my journey with God.
You can find The One Year Bible I use here:
😊 Skin Care (Simple & Consistent)
(External Care)
I don’t use complicated routines.
I use what works.
💛Witch Hazel (Amazon Basics Witch Hazel)
I use this for so many things:
skin irritation
soreness
bumps and spots
even things I don’t fully understand
It cleans, soothes, and helps without the burn that alcohol causes.
You can find what I use here:
Amazon Basics Witch Hazel
https://amzn.to/438QuAM
💛 Castor oil Viva naturals Organic Castor Oil)
I use this on my skin for moisture and healing.
Yes, it’s oil—but it works.
You can find what I use here:
Viva Naturals Organic Castor Oil
https://amzn.to/4amUiCd
💛 Vitamin E Cream (Fruit of the Earth)
This has been a staple in my family for years.
Soft, consistent, and reliable.
You can find what I use here:
Fruit of the Earth Vitamin E Cream (2-Pack)
https://amzn.to/3PNzlcN
💛 Olay Fresh Radiance Body Wash – Essence of Black Cherry & Vanilla
One of my favorite body washes. I enjoy its rich lather, refreshing scent, and the
way it leaves my skin feeling clean, soft, and moisturized.
You can find what I use here:
Olay Fresh Radiance Body Wash
https://amzn.to/4o5OIdh
💛 Large Mesh Bath Sponge
To maximize the lather and cleansing benefits of my body wash.
The sponge also helps a little body wash go a long way, making it a
practical addition to my skincare routine.
You can find what I use here:
Shower Bouquet Loofah Bath Sponge Set
https://amzn.to/3RZFOC1
🧴 Hair Care (Consistency Over Everything)
(External Care)
My hair journey was not easy.
There was a time it felt dry, damaged, and hard to manage.
But through consistency, I found what works for me.
Shampoo (strength & repair) L’OREAL Paris ELVIVE
Clarifying shampoo (deep cleanse) Sofnfree GroHealthy, NOTHING
BUT Clarifying Shampoo
Conditioner (softening & detangling) (I use as an alternative)
ORS OLIVE OIL Strength & Restore REPLENISHING CONDITIONER
infused with SWEET ORANGE OIL
Deep conditioner (restoration & moisture) Originals Africa’s Best,
OLIVE & SEA DEEP CONDITIONER MASQUE
Leave-in conditioner (protection & manageability) KENRA LUXE ONE LEAVE - IN
ALL-IN-ONE MIRACLE SPRAY, Platinum
Hair oil serum (shine & softness) Matrix Food For Soft multi-use Hair Oil Serum
Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection SEMI-PERMANENT Color Rinse
For excellent 3-4 weeks of color tint and gray coverage for my edges.
You can find the Hair Care products I use here:
[Affiliate links coming soon]
Hair Tools & Accessories (Used with Care)
I do use heat—but with intention.
I use a flat iron and a blow dryer at controlled
temperatures to protect my hair while styling. And a deep conditioner
electric cap to keep on my head for 15-20 minutes while my
deep conditioner and color rinse mesh together in my hair for
softness, moisture, and beauty.
The WavyTalk flat Iron - I usually use 380 degrees temperatures.
RED by KISS 2000 Ceramic Hair Dryer, 1500 watts
The FLORA NATURALS SHAMPOO BRUSH SCALP MASSAGER
200 PCS Disposable Shower Caps by SAOYOAS US - I use
to deep condition my hair. I wear under electric heated cap.
ASAP Blue Nitrile Gloves Disposable Latex Free - 4 Mil Powder Free
(I use to wash my hair, to apply my color rinse, and to rinse
conditioner from my hair. Keeps from snagging my hair.)
Amazon’s Choice Heated Electric Thermal Steamer Cap
with temperature control for deep conditioning at home.
It’s not just about what you use—it’s how you use it.
You can find the Tools & Accessories I use here:
[Affiliate link coming soon]
Internal Health (What I Put In My Body)
What you put inside your body shows on the outside.
I focus on simple, consistent additions:
Sea moss - Ualle Organic Sea Moss Capsules 12-in-1
(This is part of my daily routine for overall wellness and energy. I
mix directly into my smoothie.)
Flaxseed - Great Value Organic Ground Flaxseed
(Helps with digestion and balance. I use this consistently in my smoothies.)
Beet powder - Kate Naturals Organic Beet Root Powder
(Supports my energy and circulation. This is one of my go-to smoothie staples.)
Lion’s mane - Micro Ingredients Organic Lion’s Mane Powder
(Supports focus and mental clarity for me. Easy to mix into smoothies.)
These support:
energy
focus
digestion
overall wellness
You can find what I use in my smoothie here:
[Affiliate links coming soon]
Fragrance (Simple, Not Overwhelming)
I believe in smelling good without irritation or excess.
I use an oil version of a well-known fragrance that lasts, smells clean,
and doesn’t overwhelm.
Estée Lauder “Beautiful” Oil
(Affordable alternative to the expensive version — smells great,
lasts long, doesn’t irritate my skin.)
You can find the Estee Lauder Oil I use here:
[Affiliate link coming soon]
Resistance Bands (Temple Care Fitness)
(Physical Care)
This is one of the main tools I use for my Temple Care fitness routine at home.
I personally use the VOUAND Resistance Bands Set, and they have been a game
changer for my at-home workouts.
This is one of the main tools I use for my Temple Care fitness routine at home.
I do not have a gym membership, but I’ve learned that you don’t need one to take care of your body.
With consistency and the right tools, you can build strength right at home.
I use resistance bands as part of a simple 15–20 minute routine that includes both stretching and
strength training. These bands allow me to work my entire body—arms, legs, and core—while also improving flexibility.
What I love about them is the variety of resistance levels. From light to extra heavy, I can adjust based on what my body needs. Some days I focus on gentle movement and stretching, and other days I increase resistance for more strength and toning.
This routine has helped me:
Stay consistent without needing a gym
Build strength and endurance
Support flexibility and movement
Feel energized and cared for physically
This is something I do regularly—daily or every other day—and it has
truly become a part of my lifestyle.
Even my granddaughter, at just two years old, watches and joins in. She
reminds me to stretch and wants to do the movements herself. That’s how
powerful simple, consistent habits can be—they don’t just impact you,
they influence the next generation.
This is more than fitness.
This is taking care of the temple God has given me.
You can find the Band I use here:
Affiliate link coming soon
Final Thought
Everything you see here is a part of my life.
I didn’t wake up knowing all of this.
I prayed.
I struggled.
I searched.
And God answered.
So this page is not just about what I use.
It’s about what I’ve learned.
And if something here helps you, then I’m grateful God used me to be a part of your journey.
🌿Welcome to TempleCare
Caring for your body is an act of worship. Here, you’ll find simple, Spirit-led guidance to help you nourish your body with whole foods, honor God through daily habits, and steward your health with grace — not pressure. TempleCare is a reminder that when we care for the place where the Holy Spirit lives, we step into greater clarity, energy, and peace.
🌿Why TempleCare Matters
Your body is not a burden — it’s a blessing. God designed your body with intention, strength, and purpose. When we care for it with love, nourishment, and wisdom, we honor the One who created it. TempleCare is not about dieting, perfection, or pressure. It’s about alignment: aligning your habits with God’s design so you can walk in clarity, joy, peace, and purpose.
🌿Clean Eating for Beginners
Caring for your temple begins with simple, sustainable steps. You don’t need perfection — only intention. Clean eating is about choosing God-made foods over man-made foods, nourishing your cells with life-giving nutrients, and creating habits that support clarity, energy, and peace.
Here are a few gentle places to begin:
Add more whole, colorful foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains).
Drink more water, especially first thing in the morning.
Limit processed foods when you can.
Crowd out unhealthy choices by filling your plate with God’s natural foods.
Start where you are — one choice at a time.
Clean eating is not restrictive — it’s restorative. It gives your body the environment it needs to heal, strengthen, and thrive.
🌿A Prayer Before Eating
“Lord, thank You for this food. I ask that You bless it and make it nourishment for my body.
Cleanse it, purify it, and use it to strengthen me for the work You’ve called me to do.
Help me honor You with my choices, my habits, and my health.
Teach me to love the body You created for me.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
🌿A Prayer Before Making a Smoothie
“Lord, thank You for providing the ingredients that nourish and heal my body.
As I blend these fruits and greens, I ask You to bless every vitamin, every mineral,
and every natural thing You created for my good.
Use this nourishment to strengthen my energy, renew my mind, and support the temple
You’ve entrusted to me.
Help me make choices that honor You daily — in my food, my habits, and my life.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
🌿Practical Encouraging Mondays Guided Growth Challenges to Transform Our Eating Lifestyle to Honor God
by Being a Good Steward of the Bodies God Has Given to Us
To take better care of our bodies, God’s Temple where He resides in every Believer in Christ, our Encouraging Mondays community will participate in several challenges to help transform our eating lifestyles that will honor God and optimize our overall health. The challenges will not be fully discussed here. When they are officially announced, they will be fully explained in the Encouraging Mondays messages on this website on the Encouraging Mondays Page, as well as on the Challenges Transformations Page. This page will however house comments and or lessons from the challenges since they pertain to TempleCare! Stay tuned for upcoming challenges in Dec 2025, January 2026, and February 2026, with possibly more to follow.
🌿Temple Care Lesson Reflection
Based on Lived Experiences
(Reflections During the December’s 2025 21-Day Clean TempleCare Eating Challenge)
Title: “When Your Appetite Shifts: The Spiritual and Biological Impact of Clean Eating”
Lesson Overview:
This lesson teaches readers how honoring God with their health creates real, physical changes in appetite, cravings, and energy levels — supported by Scripture, biology, and personal testimony.
When your lifestyle shifts, your appetite shifts.
When your heart shifts, your habits shift.
When your spirit aligns with God, your body responds.
One of the biggest surprises people experience during clean eating is this:
You simply don’t feel hungry the same way anymore.
This is not deprivation.
This is not “eating like a bird.”
This is not forcing yourself to consume food you don’t enjoy.
This is your body finally receiving what God designed it to receive — nourishment that supports your temple instead of draining it.
I tell people all the time:
“Clean eating isn’t about perfection. It’s about choosing foods that fuel your body, honor your temple, and taste good to YOU.”
If you don’t like okra, don’t eat it.
If kale makes you miserable, skip it.
There are plenty of healthy, plant-based foods you genuinely love — raisins, dates, bananas, berries, oats, sweet potatoes, yellow grits, homemade pancakes… foods that make you smile.
When I eat clean, I often have to remind myself to eat — not because I’m restricting, but because I’m satisfied. One smoothie, one salad, a piece of fruit… and my body feels nourished and steady.
And here’s the truth:
Biologically
When you stop eating processed food:
insulin levels stabilize
cravings disappear
your stomach learns satisfaction
your blood sugar evens out
your digestion works efficiently
your hormones calm down
Your body finally exhale
and says:
“Thank you.”
Spiritually
When your nourishment aligns with God’s design:
you experience clarity
you feel lighter
your spirit is more responsive
you’re not weighed down with sluggishness
you have more self-control
your discipline strengthens
your energy becomes sustainable
Your body becomes a co-laborer with your spirit, not a burden.
Clean eating is not a diet.
It is Temple Care — a way of honoring God with choices that support the life He gave you.
And I’m not perfect.
I have setbacks.
But I keep returning to this truth:
The benefits remind me why obedience matters.
This is why, at 61 years old, working overnight shifts with barely any sleep…
I still have energy
younger coworkers ask how I’m so strong
I stay alert through long hours
my mind stays sharp
my spirit stays steady
They eat heavy fast food at 2 or 3 a.m.
I do not.
Not because I’m better —
but because I learned to care for my temple according to God’s rhythm.
When you eat clean, your body recovers the way God intended.
Your appetite shifts.
Your cravings change.
Your discipline grows.
Your spirit rests.
This is Temple Care.
✨GUIDED GROWTH CHALLENGES
21 DAY TEMPLECARE CLEAN EATING CHALLENGE
DECEMBER 1, 2025 — DECEMBER 21, 2025
Caring for God’s Temple: A Holy Entrustment of Clean Eating
A gentle, faith-filled journey of eating God-made, simple foods to renew your clarity, energy, and spiritual focus.
This challenge is not about perfection — it’s about presence, intention, and honoring your temple one decision at a time.
What You’ll Eat
Fruits (fresh, frozen, or blended)
Vegetables (raw, steamed, or baked)
Simple plant-based meals
Nuts, seeds, legumes
Water, herbal teas
Grace-filled choices when needed
What’s Included
Printable meal ideas
Daily reflection prompts
Weekly encouragement
Community prayer + support
A simple flow you can return to after slip-ups
How It Works
Each day you will:
Choose God-made foods
Journal using the Reflection Guide
Notice what God is teaching you
End the evening with gratitude and prayer
Download Your Reflection Guide
Use this guide to track:
How you feel
What you ate
What God showed you
Your prayer focus for tomorrow
Download the 21-Day Reflection Guide
The December 21-Day Clean Eating Challenge begins on December 1, 2025.
🥗Healthy Swaps Reflection
🌿A simple reflection to help you notice what’s hidden and choose what supports your peace, health, and energy.
🌿 WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR FOOD
🌿 Hidden Added Sugar
Look for “Added Sugar” on the label.
Your goal: 0g most of the time
Occasionally: 1–2g max
🌿Common surprising sources:
• Yogurt
• Granola
• Sauces
• Bread
• Coffee creamers
• “Healthy” snacks
🌿Reflection Question:
What foods do I eat often that may contain hidden sugars?
🌿Hidden Sodium
🌿High sodium leads to swelling, inflammation, headaches, fatigue.
🌿Watch out for:
• Frozen meals
• Canned soups
• Restaurant food
• Chips and crackers
• Seasoned rice or noodle packets
• Salad dressings
🌿Goal: Choose items closer to 250–400mg per serving, rather than 800–1500mg.
🌿Reflection Question:
Which foods in my pantry have more sodium than I realized?
🥗 EASY HEALTHY SWAPS
🌿Swap Ideas
• White rice ➜ brown rice or quinoa
• White grits ➜ yellow grits/polenta
• Heavy dressings ➜ olive oil + lemon
• Sugary yogurt ➜ plain yogurt + fruit
• Frozen entrees ➜ frozen veggies + protein
• Soda ➜ flavored sparkling water
• Fast food ➜ Whole Foods hot/cold bar (fresh, clean options)
🌿Reflection Question:
Which swap feels easiest to start with this week?
🥗TEMPLE CARE ON THE GO
When life is busy, choose places where:
Food is fresh
Ingredients are simple
You control the portions
You avoid excess sugar/oil/salt
🌿Examples include:
• Whole Foods hot bar
• Salad bars
• Fresh groceries + rotisserie-style veggies
• Build-your-own bowl spots
🌿Reflection Question:
What is one on-the-go option near me that supports my health?
💛 QUESTIONS FOR YOUR HEART
Ask yourself gently:
• How do certain foods make me feel afterward?
• Where do I notice God nudging me toward better choices?
• What small change could bring me more energy tomorrow?
• Am I honoring the temple He gave me with my choices today?
🙏🏼 PRAYER FOR HEALTH & WISDOM
“Lord, help me see my body as Your temple.
Give me wisdom as I choose what nourishes me.
Guide my heart, my habits, and my healing.
Help me take small steps each day toward greater health and peace.
Thank You for strengthening me, mind, body, and spirit.
In Jesus’ Healing Name,
we Praise and we Pray, Amen and Amen.”
🌿Day 21 Reflection December 21, 2025
Day 21 — TempleCare Challenge – Encouraging Mondays
As we close out these 21 days, I want to pause and affirm something important:
👏🏼Participation looks different for everyone.
If you:
watched a video,
tried one plant-based meal or snack,
substituted an ingredient,
or simply became more aware of what nourishment and care look like in real time—
you participated. 👏🏼
This challenge was not about doing everything “right.”
It was about paying attention, making small shifts, and realizing that care does not have to be complicated to be meaningful.
Thank you to everyone who joined in—whether quietly or actively.
Your presence mattered. 💓
We’ll begin our next Encouraging Mondays challenge the first Monday in January, and I look forward to continuing this journey together with a spirit of grace, simplicity, and encouragement.
Small steps still move us forward. 🚶🏼➡️
— Shawna S
Encouraging Mondays | Coaching the Heart & Mind
Frozen Cashew Bowl
Sometimes convenience is necessary—and wisdom helps us choose better.
This plant-based frozen bowl is not homemade or fresh, but it is:
Vegan & gluten-free
Made with brown rice pasta
Packed with visible vegetables
A cleaner alternative when time is limited
Plant-based eating isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention, awareness, and better swaps.
Sharing options so the guesswork is removed.
💓Temple Care - Dairy - Free Yogurt Update
🚶🏼➡️A simple reminder that caring for the body doesn’t have to be complicated.
Today I’m sharing two dairy-free yogurt options I enjoy, along with a quick comparison in texture and consistency.
While I do still have a favorite, both are good alternatives for those seeking non-dairy options.
Following up on a promise I made earlier which is the reason for this quick update on two dairy-free yogurt
options with one being my favorite due to it’s thicker consistency and
better overall taste.
Temple care isn’t about perfection or trends. It’s about awareness, balance, and listening to your body and
making small, sustainable choices along the way.
🎁Our body is a gift. let’s steward it with grace.
Day 7 Temple Care Clean Eating Challenge with Intermittent Fasting
January 11, 2026
🍒DAY 7 — RAW, PLANT-BASED & FULLY SATISFIED
🥗Today I chose a fully raw salad from Whole Foods — and it was absolutely delicious.
Everything was raw:
🥕carrots
🥦broccoli
🧅red onions & pickled onions
🥬fresh vegetables
plant-based, no cheese, no tofu, no cooked add-ins
I didn’t even miss anything cooked.
I used a vegan balsamic dressing, drank regular water (no sparkling today), and after eating I felt:
light
energized
no bloating
no heaviness
This is what Temple Care can look like — simple, intentional, and deeply satisfying.
You don’t have to complicate clean eating.
Sometimes the body just needs real food in its natural form.
😋What stood out most wasn’t just how good it tasted — it was how good I felt afterward. No bloating. No fullness. Just nourishment and clarity.
This is what Temple Care looks like for me:
Not restriction.
Not extremes.
Just listening to the body and honoring it with intention.
Sometimes we think we’re “missing something” when we remove certain foods — but often we’re actually gaining clarity, energy, and peace.
Small, faithful choices matter.
Encouraging Mondays | Temple Care in action
🌿STAY CONNECTED
Encouraging Mondays is more than a website — it’s a growing community of faith, reflection, and peaceful transformation. If God has been speaking to your heart through these messages, I’d love for you to stay connected throughout the week. Each platform gives you a unique way to receive encouragement, grow spiritually, and walk in God’s perfect peace.
LinkedIn — Weekly Encouragement & Reflections
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawna-stately-853771390
YouTube — Encouraging Mondays Video Messages
http://www.youtube.com/@EncouragingMondays
Podcast Devotionals With Shawna S. — Listen on the Go
https://open.spotify.com/show/3pT2RcBNOKpa8A2vuYIJ4W
Wherever you choose to connect, may these messages speak life to your spirit and peace to your heart! 💛