I am using my first week of posts to exhort about things that are my strongest passions. I am going to take the opportunity today to talk about some of the staples in your pantry (and refrigerator) that might need to be reconsidered. If you are still using the item on the left, please consider adding the item on the right to your shopping list and lovingly placing item on left in your trash can (and never buying again!).
- out with the pasturized milk ~ in with the organic milk
- out with white granulated sugar ~ in with unrefined raw sugar
- out with the vegetable oil & margarine ~ in with the olive oil & real unsalted butter
- out with the white flour bread ~ in with the whole wheat bread
- out with the table salt ~ in with organic sea salt
- out with food containing high fructose corn syrup ~ in with stuff without it!
Organic, raw, unpasteurized, unhomogenized milk is much healthier. Read here: organic milk benefits
White table sugar is basically filled with empty calories while unrefined raw sugar has minerals and nutrients in tact. Read here: natural organic lifestyle
Substituting olive oil which is rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants for oils which are high in saturated and polyunsaturated fats has many health benefits. Read some here: What's For Dinner
Whole grain flour has been minimally processed and is not stripped of its natural fiber and nutrients. If you compare the nutritional benefits of white and whole wheat, well read here and see: wheatfoods
Sea salt is better for you because it is not stripped of natural elements. Read here: bella online
Good luck finding stuff without it, but the label "No High Fructose Corn Syrup" is becoming increasingly popular as American consumers catch the "nutrition for me and mine bug". Here's more: the nutrition reporter
Ecclesiastes 3:13 reads: "Indeed, that everyone should eat and drink and enjoy himself, in return for all his labours, is a gift of God!" Never fail to appreciate where our sustenance comes from. When purchasing food for your family and friends, think about what it looked like in its original state, or if what you are buying even had an original state! (I'm visualizing a can of nacho sauce) Instead, think of apples, oranges, olives, even a chicken breast. They all look like what they started as. Try to prepare the majority of your meals starting with these sorts of foods.
I have this scripture written on the wall of my pantry. It serves as a reminder to me that all good things come from the Lord, including His provision of food. Psalms 34:8 "O taste and see that the Lord is good"
If you are really, really, really serious about learning more about eating healthy, The book You Are What You Eat by Dr. Gillian McKeith is set up with beautiful slick colorful pages, meaningful lists, and charts. She presents the health benefits of the foods we eat. She even offers suggestions of which foods can "fix" a variety of health issues ranging from acne to indegestion and stress. It is only 220 pages making it a managable read. I have found the book to be quite interesting and applicable.
Another powerful book on diet and nutrition is Chef MD's Big Book of Culinary Medicine. It is a 300 page text on the science of nutrition. It has lots of great information on how food works for your body. Only buy this if you really want to dig in and learn about eating for optimal health. This book does contain recipes to accompany Dr. LaPuma's food suggestions.
The last book I want to mention is titled The Bible's Seven Secrets to Healthy Living. The author, Joyce Rogers writes about the vitamins, minerals, and fibers that are found in the foods that God created and how they coincide with the needs of our bodies. The emphasis is on the world of natural foods and includes a great amount of scriptural reference. She, too, includes recipes in the Appendix.
From your dwelling you water the hills;
the earth is enriched by your provision
You make grass grow for the cattle and
plants for use of mortals,
producing grain from the earth,
food to sustain their strength,
wine to gladden the hearts of the people,
and oil to make their faces shine.
Psalms 104: 13-16
From your dwelling you water the hills;
the earth is enriched by your provision
You make grass grow for the cattle and
plants for use of mortals,
producing grain from the earth,
food to sustain their strength,
wine to gladden the hearts of the people,
and oil to make their faces shine.
Psalms 104: 13-16
I could exhort all day concerning changes that can be made to make our lives better through healthier eating. I won't though (aren't you relieved?) Hopefully this information is enough to get you started on the road to nutritious living! M
You and your doctor should make responsible decisions regarding your health.
Please do not rely on my comments and opinions for your diet choices.
You and your doctor should make responsible decisions regarding your health.
Please do not rely on my comments and opinions for your diet choices.
