Health News ~ December

HAPPY DECEMBER EVERYONE!!!

Now with the holidays approaching it is very easy to overeat.  I want to share some things with you regarding overeating and how it affects our body from the Spirit of Prophecy.

“Those who place so much food upon the stomach, and thus load down nature, could not appreciate the truth should they hear it dwelt upon.”  {CH 158}

“WHAT INFLUENCE DOES OVEREATING HAVE UPON THE STOMACH? It becomes debilitated, the digestive organs are weakened, and disease, with all its train of evils, is brought on as the result.”  {CH 159}

The word of God places the sin of gluttony in the same catalogue with drunkenness. Even if the food we are eating is healthy, we should quit when we are full….even if we haven’t yet tasted several dishes on the table.  “The extra food burdens the system and produces morbid, feverish conditions” we are told in Counsels on Diet and Foods on page 134.

“Sometimes the result of OVEREATING is felt at once. In other cases there is no sensation of pain; but the digestive organs lose their vital force, and the foundation of physical strength is undermined. The surplus food burdens the system, and produces morbid, feverish conditions. It calls an undue amount of blood to the stomach, causing the limbs and extremities to chill quickly. It lays a heavy tax on the digestive organs, and when these organs have accomplished their task, there is a feeling of faintness or languor. Some who are continually overeating call this all gone feeling hunger; but it is caused by the overworked condition of the digestive organs.”  {CDF 134}

I know we all need these quotes. We all need to pray much and let God lead and guide us at the table.

“AND WHAT INFLUENCE DOES OVEREATING HAVE UPON THE STOMACH? It becomes debilitated, the digestive organs are weakened, and disease, with all its train of evils, is brought on as the result. If persons were diseased before, they thus increase the difficulties upon them, and lessen their vitality every day they live. They call their vital powers into unnecessary action to take care of the food that they place in their stomachs. What a terrible condition is this to be in!”   {CD 135}

“The Lord has instructed me that as a general rule, we place too much food in the stomach. Many make themselves uncomfortable by overeating, and SICKNESS IS OFTEN THE RESULT. The Lord did not bring this punishment on them. They brought it on themselves; and God desires them to realize that pain is the result of transgression.” {CD 136}

“NEARLY ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN FAMILY eat more than the system requires. This excess decays and becomes a putrid mass. . . . If more food, even of a simple quality, is placed in the stomach than the living machinery requires, this surplus becomes a burden. The system makes desperate efforts to dispose of it, and this extra work causes a tired, weary feeling. Some who are continually eating call this all-gone feeling hunger, but it is caused by the overworked condition of the digestive organs.” {CD 132}

The injunction of Christ is, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt 5:48. Here He shows us that we may be as perfect in our sphere as God is in His sphere.

Proverbs 30:7-9 - Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

This verse shows there is a direct connection between overeating and denying God!

OVEREATING causes dopamine disorders and the person can't make right cognitive decisions.

THE RESULT: You will surrender your will to the lower passions - the flesh.

Overeating hinders the mind from being clear - which is a very serious issue.

“In order to make the temperance movement a success, the work of reform must begin at our tables.” Temperance, Page 196

IF WE DON’T HAVE VICTORY OVER OUR APPETITE WE WON'T HAVE VICTORY OVER SIN.

Wow those are some powerful quotes and really tells it like it is. Let’s glorify and honor God by treating our bodies as He would have us to. I PRAY NONE OF US WILL OVEREAT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON or at any meal ever again!  

Here is a great recipe for you all to try!

Cranberry Grape Salad

1 pkg. whole fresh cranberries

1½ cup pineapple juice (save from can of pineapple below)

½ cup raw sugar

¼ cup pineapple juice

¼ cup agar agar powder OR ½ cup kojel  

Place cranberries, 1 ½ cups pineapple juice and raw sugar and cook gently until the skin breaks. Put kojel or agar in ¼ c. pineapple juice and mix together. Add to cranberry mixture. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2-3 more minutes. Put into a blender and blend until very smooth.

Let cool some while preparing the following:

½ cup red grapes halved or quartered

½ cup pineapple, diced

⅓ cup walnuts or pecans, optional

Mix well and pour into mold and chill until set. Very good alone or with homemade whip cream on top. 

Health News ~ November

THANKSGIVING will be here soon, so here is a great recipe to try for the upcoming holiday.

Pumpkin Pie

1-15 or 16 oz. can pumpkin

1-12 oz. pkg. tofu, firm or x-firm

1 c. honey or 1 ¼ cups

1 t. real salt

¾ t. coriander

¼ t. cardamom

1 ½  T. cornstarch (Non GMO)

2 T. cooked squash (for color)

Blend all ingredients until smooth.  Pour into unbaked pie shell and bake at 350º for 1 hour!

How would you like to work all day with no rest OR lie down at night to sleep and then have someone force you to get up and start working?  Well that is what you do to your body when you eat between meals and before bedtime.  Here is what Jesus has to say:

“The stomach, when we lie down to rest, should have its work all done, that it may enjoy rest, as well as other portions of the body. The work of digestion should not be carried on through any period of the sleeping hours.” HL 84

“The stomach must have careful attention. It must not be kept in continual operation. Give this misused and much-abused organ some peace and quiet and rest. After the stomach has done its work for one meal, do not crowd more work upon it before it has had a chance to rest and before a sufficient supply of gastric juice is provided by nature to care for more food. Five hours at least should elapse between each meal, and always bear in mind that if you would give it a trial, you would find that two meals are better than three.”  CD 173

SNACKS ARE DETRIMENTAL TO HEALTH FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

1. They deprive the stomach and other organs of the rest they normally require.

2. They retard digestion and thus give rise to gas and related symptoms.

3. They tend to increase the total calorie intake beyond actual need.

4. Since snacks are high in sugar and simple carbohydrate content, they deprive the body of the necessary elements such as vitamins and minerals found in a balance diet.

5. Snacks tend to lessen the desire and enjoyment of regular meals and thus reduce digestibility.

X-ray studies conducted have determined the emptying time of the stomach is average 4 ½ - 5 hours.  On some studies conducted it showed that after a normal breakfast 4 people were tested. 

The 1st person had an ice cream cone 2 hours after breakfast and had residue in their stomach after 6 hours.

The 2nd person ate a peanut butter sandwich 2 hours after breakfast and after 9 hours had residue in their stomach.

The 3rd person (2 hours after breakfast) ate a ½ slice of bread and butter repeated every 1 ½ hour interval and ate no dinner. After 9 hours more than ½ his breakfast was still in his stomach.

The 4th person, after breakfast, ate twice in the morning, twice in the afternoon and a bit of candy and 13 ½ hours later more than ½ of the morning meal was still in the stomach!!!

WOW!  This goes to show you that SNACKING IS NOT GOOD.  You want your stomach completely emptied before you put more food in it.  It needs a rest too after doing all that work.

When the morning meal is skipped one tends to become hungry before noon and resorts to snacking.  The snack slackens the appetite for lunch; less is eaten, but before long, hunger returns.  Snacking in the afternoon becomes the logical solution, and then there is no desire for food at suppertime so it is delayed till later at nite.  This requires the stomach to work during sleeping hours and a restless night follows.

“In many cases the faintness that leads to a desire for food is felt because the digestive organs have been too severely taxed during the day. After disposing of one meal, the digestive organs need rest. At least five or six hours should intervene between the meals.”  CD 173

“I am astonished to learn that, after all the light that has been given in this place, many of you eat between meals! You should NEVER LET A MORSEL PASS YOUR LIPS BETWEEN YOUR REGULAR MEALS. Eat what you ought, but eat it at one meal, and then wait until the next.”  TSDF 38

“Three meals a day and nothing between meals -- not even an apple -- should be the utmost limit of indulgence. Those who go further violate nature's laws and will suffer the penalty.” R. and H., 1883, No. 19. {HL 86.1}

“Food taken into the stomach at untimely seasons leaves an influence on every fiber of the system.” H.R. {HL 86.3}

Often when you think you need to eat, you really only need water.  TRY DRINKING WATER instead of those snacks.  Not soda pop or other harmful liquids, but good old water that God created for us.

1 Cor. 10:31 says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” How can we be glorifying God when we are not obeying Him?

Wow! Those are really some powerful quotes. God is very clear about NOT eating between meals.  If you quit eating between meals and before bedtime, your body will get the rest it needs and not have to be digesting food all day or all night long.  You will definitely feel better if you are well rested.

I pray that God will give you the victory over this as you surrender it to Him.  Have a very blessed and joyful Thanksgiving!

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Please check all that apply. This year for Halloween, I'll probably:

1. Dress the little ones up in costumes and escort them around our neighborhood to collect candy.

2. Check out the local haunted house.

3. Get together with some buddies to watch a scary movie.

4. Dress up in a devil suit and scare the neighborhood kids that knock on the front door.

5. Turn off the porch light and hope nobody finds me eating the three bags of Snickers bars I bought for trick-or-treaters.

Most people see nothing wrong with the activities listed above. They consider Halloween festivities to be a harmless way for their children to have an evening of "fantasy and fun."

But does this standard hold true for Christians? Is dressing up like ghosts, goblins, and witches really "no big deal"? Or is it glorifying and empowering Satan?

If we have truly committed our hearts and our lives to Christ, we will set ourselves apart as people who seek to reflect God's goodness and love to the world. Because we become like the things we behold, the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 counsels Christians to think deeply about-and to continually fill our minds with-what is good. A careful, honest look at Halloween reveals little or nothing that is good. Instead, it is a day that points toward Satanism, fear, and gluttony.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).

Although the word Halloween means "holy or hallowed evening," history shows that nothing could be further from the truth. Halloween is clearly a relic of pagan times, and it has never reflected true Christian virtues.

The customs connected with Halloween are most commonly traced to a festival celebrated by the Druids-priests of the Celtic tribes that occupied northern and Western Europe. This celebration, which dates back several centuries before Christ, began each year on October 31 and was called the festival of Samhain, the lord of death.

As part of their worship of Samhain, the Druid priests built huge bonfires on which both animals and humans were sacrificed. This barbaric practice continued openly for hundreds of years, until Rome conquered Britain and outlawed it.

Years passed, and Rome continued to conquer new territory and increase in power. The people of each conquered nation were forced not only to become Roman citizens, but also to become members of the Roman church. As you can imagine, these new "converts" cared little about Christianity and clung tenaciously to their cherished pagan practices.

So, since the Roman church was unable to get people to abandon their heathen festivals, it decided to "sanctify" some of them. The Druids' celebration in honor of the lord of death thus became All Saints' Day, which was to be observed by all churches. Officially, it was proclaimed a day to honor all the saints who had died, known or unknown. But in practice, it remained what it had always been-a pagan celebration of the "Day of the Dead."

Throughout its history, Halloween has been thought of as the time when supernatural forces prevail. Anton LaVey, author of "The Satanic Bible" and high priest of the Church of Satan, says that Satanists consider Halloween the most important day of the year. He says that on this night, satanic, occult, and witchcraft power are at their highest potency level, and that any witch or occultist who has been having difficulty with a spell or curse can usually achieve success on October 31st because Satan and his powers are at their best that night.

Divination, or fortune telling, is also believed to reach its highest powers on Halloween, as people are eager to learn what might happen to them in the upcoming year. Even today, predictions of leading psychics and astrologers are generally released about the time of Halloween.

Clearly, the rites and symbols of this holiday reveal that it is still a day that glorifies Satan. Look around you. Though October 31 is still a month away, you can probably see evidences that Halloween is approaching. Pictures of ghosts, goblins, witches, skeletons, and devil-faced pumpkins appear on store windows everywhere. Horror movies are promoted on television and in the theaters, and most bookstores give prominent attention to books dealing with death and the occult.

As Christians, we are not to associate with the things of Satan. Christ Himself said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24).

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).

Since its beginning, the festival of Halloween has played upon people's fears. The Celtic people believed that on the night of October 31, demons, witches, and the spirits of all those who had died within the past year roamed about freely. Most people were afraid to leave their homes on this night. Those who absolutely had to go out wore grotesque masks and terrifying costumes. They reasoned that if they looked horrible enough, the spirits would think they were one of them and would do them no harm!

Fear is a big part of modern Halloween celebrations, as well. Spooky decorations, horror movies, and haunted houses make a very real impression on little children. Is there any wonder so many youth have nightmares or are afraid to be alone in the dark? Satan delights in filling people's minds with thoughts of fear, death, and destruction. It is a tactic he has used for centuries to keep mankind under his control.

God, on the other hand, longs to give His children peace. He doesn't want us to be paralyzed by our fears. In fact, the Bible says that Christ died. ”And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:15).

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Several days before their festival began, the Druid priests would go from house to house demanding food or other items they would use in their worship of Samhain, the lord of death. If a villager refused to give them what they wanted, the priest would put a demonic curse on the home. It was no idle threat, either. Someone from that house usually died within the year. It is from this abominable practice that our present-day "trick-or-treat" custom evolved.

While it is true that trick-or-treat is no longer primarily about curses, it is about gluttony. Children go from house to house, filling grocery bags full of candy and then returning home to feast on their great treasure. Often, those who stay at home to hand out the candy consume great amounts of it themselves!

Even this element of Halloween, which in comparison might seem harmless, does nothing to glorify God. The Bible says that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We should not be polluting that temple with food that clouds our perceptions and draws us away from God.

"Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Ephesians 5:11).

Satan is no doubt jubilant that such a large portion of this "Christian nation" views a holiday in his honor as something that is harmless fun. Could it be that by our carelessness, we are contributing to the extraordinary power Satan seems to have on October 31?

No matter how fun or exciting it may seem, Halloween is no celebration for a Christian. If we truly seek to glorify God, then how can we devote one day of the year to worshiping Satan? We can't.

The Bible says, "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

http://www.amazingfacts.org/news-and-features/inside-report/magazine/id/10699/t/should-christians-celebrate-halloween

HEALTH NEWS ~ OCTOBER

Happy Fall Everybody! For those of you who live in areas where the colors change -- aren't they lovely? I love this time of year where it is warm during the day and cool at night. It is my favorite time of year!

Here is a great recipe to try and it is very simple and quick. Carob is very tasty and is good for you as well.

Fudge

½ c. honey

½ c. chopped walnuts

¼ c. carob powder

1 T. Roma or Caffix (or any coffee substitute)

½ c. almond or peanut butter

¼ c. soy supreme soy milk powder (this can be left out but the consistency is better with it)

½ t. real salt

Mix all together with hands and kneed. (wearing a disposable glove works well) Add soymilk powder to form stiff dough, form into balls. Chill.

 Carob is not an empty calorie food. It has 8 % protein, some B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, chromium, copper, and nickel.

Carob comes from the carob tree which is grown mostly in the Middle East. It belongs to the legume family and produces long pods which are dried and ground finely to produce carob powder.

Referred to in the Bible, the carob pods helped sustain John the Baptist during his wilderness sojourn and are often called St. John’s Bread.

In order to achieve a fine chocolaty flavor with excellent nutritional value and the absence of harmful stimulation, use carob powder in any recipe calling for cocoa or chocolate.

CAFFEINE IS A DRUG and this information is VERY IMPORTANT.  Here are some facts about it…When we drink caffeine it pulls water out of the system.  We need to drink enough water (½ of your body weight in ounces, plus 16 ounces during your first hour of waking up) every day and cut out ALL caffeinated drinks.  Our body is made up of mostly water, (70-80%) so we need to drink more water.

One of the organs most rapidly affected by caffeine is the brain. Almost 99% of the caffeine that is filtered by the kidneys is reabsorbed. Caffeine must be metabolized to be eliminated from the body.

Caffeine affects many of the body’s organs.  It constricts the blood vessels, speeds up the heart, and stimulates the brain, stomach, kidneys, ovaries, and testes.

Symptoms of excessive caffeine include sleep disturbances, headache, tremulousness, jitteriness, anxiety, light-headedness, irritability, depression, rapid heart beat, skipped heartbeats, rapid breathing, diarrhea, stomach pains, heartburn, frequent urination and muscular tension.

Persons, who drink 1-5 cups of coffee per day, have a 50% greater chance of heart attacks than do non coffee drinkers. It is 110% greater for those who drink 6 or more cups per day.

Withdrawal symptoms are common among those who try to quit caffeine. The first to occur is usually a headache, which may develop as soon as 18 hours after the last dose of caffeine. Other symptoms include drowsiness, inability to concentrate, lethargy, yawning, depression, nervousness, and nausea. These can last for 2 weeks or more.

Pregnant females and newborn babies metabolize caffeine very slowly. High doses of caffeine have been associated with an increase in cleft palate and malformations of extremities in experimental animals. So caffeine should definitely be avoided during both pregnancy and nursing.

NOW LET’S EVALUATE CHOCOLATE with a judgment as to its suitability as a food. Chocolate has caffeine in it and more. LISTEN TO THIS…

Chocolate requires additives to mask bitterness, so a large amount of sugar is necessary to make chocolate palatable. Then they add milk, cream, or oil to eliminate the unpleasant grainy consistency in chocolate. This makes an unhealthy food and WILL obstruct digestion, and cause fermentation.

There are natural contaminants in chocolate. Most cocoa beans are produced in countries where sanitation levels are FAR below those generally practiced in the USA.

The pods are cut from the tree, piled up in the yard of the farmer and fermented, a process which takes from 3-8 days. During this process, people walk over the piles, insects, rodents, small animals and other living things make their nests in piles and many types of contamination may occur during this primary part of the manufacture of chocolate. At the peak of fermentation, the temperature builds up which promotes the growth of bacteria and molds. It has been shown that large quantities of aflatoxin, the cancer producing agent from the molds, can be produced in cocoa beans. This fermentation process is ESSENTIAL for the development of the chocolate flavor. After the fermentation the seeds are sun dried or kiln dried and then ready to be shipped to the chocolate manufacturers where they are roasted and ground to make a chocolate liquor somewhat like soft peanut butter. In this stage, bacterial contaminants multiply. 

The FDA ALLOWS in chocolate and chocolate liquor up to 120 insect fragments per cup or 2 rodent hairs per cup. Four percent of cocoa beans may be infested with insects and still carry the blessing of the FDA. Visible or solid animal excreta must not exceed 10 milligrams per pound. For chocolate powder or pressed cakes there must not be more than 75 insect fragments in 3 T. of the powder! Most individuals who believe to be allergic to chocolate themselves are in fact allergic to the animal parts that are in it. 

As for me, because of those 2 things alone, I have banished chocolate from my diet forever! Fortunately for us chocolate lovers, a good substitute is available that has a much more favorable manufacture and is processed under greater sanitary conditions...and that is carob. Carob is naturally sweet. It does not require fermentation to develop its flavor. It is a rich source of pectin, which aids in digestion and elimination. Pectin is in the group of indigestible complex carbohydrates commonly called fiber.  The pectin in carob is useful for arresting simple diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. It settles the stomach and like all fiber, helps take up poisons and toxins in the intestine and eliminate them from the body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says…“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

“He (Satan) well knows that is it is impossible for man to discharge his obligations to God and to his fellow-men, while he impairs the faculties God has given him. The brain is the capital of the body. If the perceptive faculties become benumbed through intemperance of any kind, eternal things are not discerned.” Review and Herald, Sept. 8, 1874

Let’s obey God’s divine plan to eat healthy. You wouldn’t put sugar in your gas tank or soda pop in your transmission. Then let’s not put caffeine in our bodies when God has told us not to. May God bless you as you strive to feed your body healthy according to His manual. God made our bodies and He knows best what to put in it.  

HEALTH NEWS ~ AUGUST

Happy August! :)

I can hardly believe summer is almost gone and fall is around the corner.  Here is a great recipe to try while summer is still here and all the fresh fruit is still available.

Fruit Salad

Fresh fruit of choice, but here are some ideas:

Apples                              

Bananas

Blueberries                       

Cantaloupe

Grapes                             

Honeydew

Kiwi                                

Orange

Papaya

Pineapple

Raspberries                      

Strawberries                     

           

Cut up fruit and place in bowl.  Add whipped topping and mix with a big spoon and chill.  Serve with toast or popcorn and enjoy!

Whipped Topping

1 cup water

2 T. agar flakes (2 t. powder)

½ c. raw cashews

⅓ c. honey

½ t. salt

1 can coconut milk

Stir together the agar and water, and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes.

Place remaining ingredients in blender along with hot agar mixture.  Blend on high until smooth, adding water as needed to make 3½ -4 cups total mixture. Pour into a quart container and chill in refrigerator several hours or overnight.

Before using, place chilled mixture (which will be quite firm---almost sliceable) in blender or food processor, and blend until creamy. (If you have a lightweight blender, you should blend just half of the mix at a time.)  It should be the consistency of Cool Whip. Try not to add more liquid.  The mixture will eventually go through the blades and become creamy if you carefully push it toward the blades with a rubber spatula.

The agar is a key ingredient in this recipe.  The mixture has to be re-blended only once.  Then it can be frozen and used without re-blending, but remains a nice creamy texture.  So make a double recipe and freeze in small containers to use as needed for icing, dessert topping or pancakes. Makes 6 cups. 

It would be well for us to do less cooking and to eat more fruit in its natural state. Let us teach the people to eat freely of the fresh grapes, apples, peaches, pears, berries, and all other kinds of fruit that can be obtained. 7T 134

Fruit is so good for us, we need to be sure to eat it every day and a variety.  Did you know that…?

The pomegranate is referred to in 11 Old Testament books. This shows the importance of this fruit.

In Exodus 28:33 we read that the hem of the high priest’s robe was embroidered with pomegranates. Pomegranates were used to ornament the pillars in King Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 7:20). The spies who went to explore the land of Canaan returned with a single cluster of grapes so large that two men had to carry it on a pole. They also had some pomegranates and figs to prove that the land was fertile (Num. 13:23). Yes, the pomegran - ates grew in abundance in Canaan. So the pomegranate is a special fruit!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE: Sweetest medicine. Eating 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher...Composed of 92% water; it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.

BANANAS: Contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial n umber of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

A banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one

of the best value foods around; so maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time!

I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit!

In the New York Times science section (July 17, 2007, page 6) it says:

"People who choose organic fruits and vegetables to avoid pesticides and other chemicals may have another reason to buy organic. A new study finds that organically grown tomatoes have higher levels of flavonoids, which may protect against cardiovascular disease."

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  Romans 12:1

Let’s present our bodies a living sacrifice by eating to the glory of God. We need to have clear minds to hear the Holy Spirit talking to us and to have healthy bodies to do His will and get the work done so we can go home to heaven!

                                                            

                                        

                                      

                

HEALTH NEWS ~ JULY

Eating healthy is my passion and I love to collect and try new recipes.  I have over 4000 recipes on my digital “cookbook" (which is for sale if interested). Eating healthy doesn’t mean the food has to taste bad.  The recipe for this month is Alfredo. It is simple, easy and very tasty. 

Creamy Alfredo Sauce

½ c. raw cashews

1 ¼ c. water

1 T. unbleached white flour

¼ t. onion powder

½ t. real salt

1 T. chicken seasoning, vegan and homemade (if you need a recipe let me know)

1 t. basil, dried NOT FRESH

Blend cashews, flour, seasoning, onion powder, salt and water until creamy.  Pour blended mixture into saucepan and bring to a slow boil.  Add basil and remove from heat.  Ladle over cooked fettuccine noodles and serve with steamed broccoli pieces and a fresh salad.

God wants us to be healthy.  In 3 John 2 it says, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 

Isn’t that wonderful?  God wants us to be in good health. He does not want us to be sick and that is why He gave us such wonderful counsel on how to eat, when to eat and what to eat.

What we eat really does affect our health and moral strength and our usefulness in this world. 

Actually we are told just that in our inspired writings of Ellen White. She says the following in Child Guidance on page 398. “True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely with everything hurtful, and to use judiciously that which is healthful.  There are few who realize as they should how much their habits of diet have to do with their health, their character, their usefulness in this world, and their eternal Destiny. The appetite should ever be in subjection to the moral and intellectual powers.  The body should be servant to the mind, and not the mind to the body.”

“…Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to re-establish right conditions in the system. Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, PROPER DIET, the use of water, trust in divine power--these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature's remedial agencies and how to apply them. It is essential both to understand the principles involved in the treatment of the sick and to have a practical training that will enable one rightly to use this knowledge.” {MH 127.1-.2}

“…EDUCATION SHOULD BE GIVEN ON PROPER DIET…” (CD 406.4)

“We should educate ourselves, not only to live in harmony with the laws of health, but to teach others the better way…” (CG 361.2)

“…become more intelligent in regard to the laws of life. . . {11MR 187.3}

EDUCATE IN REGARD TO THE LAWS OF LIFE:

“…Educate people in regard to the laws of life…” {GCDB, January 30, 1893 par. 2}

Interesting Fact: Because of crowded, dirty conditions, more than 80% of the pigs bred in the U.S. have contracted pneumonia by the time they are slaughtered. 

Researchers found that people who eat the most processed meats (bacon, ham, bologna etc.) have a 68% higher risk of pancreatic cancer than those who eat the least of those meats.

Meat is just not safe to eat anymore. Have you ever read what the Bible and inspiration says about it?  There is so much, I don’t know what to leave out, but here are some very good quotes that spoke to my heart.

If you read Genesis 5:5, 5:8, 5:11, 5:14 and 9:29 you will see that the life of the race BEFORE the flood was that man lived much longer.

The life span was drastically shortened after the flood when man was permitted to eat meat. Genesis 11:10-32, 25:7, 35:28, 47:28, and 50:26

One more significant change was recorded after the flood in Gen 11:28 and that was a child died before a parent.

Did you know there was a stipulation given to man when eating meat? Lev 3:17, 7: 26, 27 & 17:10-14…it says NO FAT or BLOOD!

Do you know that God ONLY gave permission to eat animal food to shorten their sinful lives? 

CD 373.

“Flesh meat creates disease and insubordination.”  CD 375

“Vegetables, fruits and grains should compose our diet.  Not an ounce of flesh meat should enter our stomachs. The eating of flesh is unnatural.”  CD 380

“Our habits of eating and drinking show whether we are of the world or among the number whom the Lord by His mighty cleaver of truth has separated from the world.  These are His peculiar people, zealous of good works.” CD 379

“God gave rebellious Israel flesh, but His curse was with it.  Thousands of them died while the meat they desired was between their teeth.  We have the warning for us NOT to do as they did.”   CD 379

“How can those who are seeking to become pure, refined, and holy, that they may have the companionship of heavenly angels, continue to use as food anything that has so harmful and effect on soul and body?” CD 380

“Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet.”  CD 380-381

Some of the most popular meats have been tested and rejected by failing to meet minimum health standards.  Consumer Reports magazine made an extensive research on hamburgers and gave the results in August, 1971.  “A shocking large percentage of the hamburger we purchased was well on the way to putrefaction.”

Ralph Nader, whose organization did a prolonged investigation of packing houses, summed up their findings on hamburgers and hot dogs in the Florida magazine November 7, 1971:

“All these processed meats constitute an imaginative food innovation; they are often used as a handy and profitable dump that allows the packers to get rid of their scraps, substandard or diseased meat, and their less desirable cuts.  All they do is douse all these inferior leftovers with coloring and seasoning agents, and market them to an unsuspecting public. 

Court evidence has shown that contaminated meat, horse meat, and meat from diseased animals that was originally slated for dog or cat food has often wound up as hamburger or sausage; while lungs, eyeballs, pig blood and chopped hides are mixed into hot dogs and luncheon meats.

“To reduce the stench and foul taste, such meat is frequently impregnated with sulfite, an illegal additive that gives old decaying meat a healthy pink blush.  Since the meat used is often filthy, detergents are frequently used to wash off the dirt, and to stretch profits, so-called binders are added to hold the shreds of meat together---generally cereals, but occasionally sawdust.”

If that was 1971 it must be worse now….and I sure don’t want to be eating sulfite, detergents and sawdust! Do you?

“A diet of flesh meat tends to develop animalism …animalism lessens spirituality, rendering the mind incapable of understanding truth.”  CD 381

“Those who use flesh meat disregard all the warnings that God has given concerning this question. They have not the slightest excuse for eating the flesh of dead animals. Many times when meat is eaten, it decays in the stomach, and creates disease. Cancers, tumors, and pulmonary diseases are largely caused by meat eating.” CD 383

“When will those who know the truth take their stand on the side of right principles for time and for eternity? When will they be true to the principles of health reform? When will they learn that it is dangerous to use flesh meat? I am instructed to say that if ever meat eating were safe, it is not safe now.” CD 384

“Cancers, tumors, and all inflammatory diseases are largely caused by meat eating.” CD 388

“The meat diet is the serious question. Shall human beings live on the flesh of dead animals? The answer, from the light that God has given is, No, decidedly No.” CD 388

“It is impossible for those who make free use of flesh meats to have an unclouded brain and an active intellect.’ CD 389

The intellectual, the moral, and the physical powers are depreciated by the habitual use of flesh meats. Meat eating deranges the system, beclouds the intellect, and blunts the moral sensibilities. We say to you, dear brother and sister, your safest course is to let meat alone.”  CD 391

“Meat is not essential for health or strength…All the elements of nutrition are contained in the fruits, vegetables, and grains.” CD 395

“The liability to take disease is increased tenfold by meat eating.”  CD 386

“There are those among Seventh-day Adventists who will not heed the light given them in regard to this matter. They make flesh meat a part of their diet. Disease comes upon them. Sick and suffering as a result of their own wrong course, they ask for the prayers of the servants of God. But how can the Lord work in their behalf when they are not willing to do His will, when they refuse to heed His instruction in regard to health reform?” CD 400

“Flesh foods are injurious to the physical well-being, and we should learn to do without them. Those who are in a position where it is possible to secure a vegetarian diet, but who choose to follow their own preferences in this matter, eating and drinking as they please, will gradually grow careless of the instruction the Lord has given regarding other phases of the present truth, and will lose their perception of what is truth; they will surely reap as they have sown.” CD 402

...dead carcasses should always be looked upon as not fit to compose the diet of Christians.” CD 414

There is so much in the SOP for us to read and learn its amazing….God really does want us to change our diets and go back to the original one He gave us in the beginning. 

In the light of so much counsel on the subject, how can we explain why almost half of our people still feed on the dead bodies of animals?

Do you know what the definition of food is?  It is things that give the body nutrition by the same time NOT causing harm.  Let’s eat real food then and not cause harm to our body that God gave us.

Let’s be the peculiar people we were called to be and live the truth we have been given by God.  May God bless you as you improve your diet and health so you can hear the Holy Spirit speaking to you!          

 Thank you God for healthy foods and a country that freely supplies them!  

                                 

Earache Remedy

¼ -½ c. olive oil

5-8 cloves of garlic, smashed & chopped

Mix both together in a small pot and place over low flame. Heat only till oil turns warm, do not cook the garlic. You may strain or leave garlic in. Place in a glass jar (amber colored jar is best) and store in dark place.

*When needed, to use dip a ball in the home-made oil and then drop approx. 3 - 4 drops into the ear canal then plug with a small piece of cotton ball or tissue.

This remedy works quickly!