Healthy Living

A Celebration of Balance: Enjoyment Without Guilt

    People love to eat, particularly around the holidays. Just think about it. Can "Christmas" and "cookies" ever be separated? At Easter, we fill baskets with Jelly Beans and Peeps, which leave smiles and sticky goo on children's faces. Families clean off the outdoor grill at least once a year to char some burgers and hot dogs for the 4th of July. And at Thanksgiving, the ultimate food holiday, we overdose on turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie interspersed with various assorted soaked, salted, and seasoned vegetables.

    It's no wonder that come New Year's Day, we feel so guilty about our poor eating practices that we resolve to never again consume so many unhealthy concoctions; but February hardly arrives before we dive back into old habits. It's an endless cycle, and a dangerous one. Note what Paul told the Corinthians: "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything" (1 Corinthians 6:12-13). Food can master us. Consider the digestive problems plaguing our society. If it's not acid reflux, it's irritable bowel syndrome, and if it's not ulcers, it's lactose intolerance. Sometimes food seems more harmful than helpful!

    For years Jordan Rubin suffered from the serious digestive illness Crohn's disease. His body rejected food, refusing to absorb the nutrients he desperately needed. After consulting many doctors and health specialists, Jordan discovered that his diet was causing the illness! Now the picture of perfect health, he desires to share his success with others searching for overall well-being.

    Jordan developed not just a diet, but a way of living based on biblical practices. His health plan incorporates diet, nutrition, exercise, hygiene, and body therapies, and it emphasizes the importance of living in a healthy environment as well. He calls this regime The Maker's Diet, as it recognizes not only the physical aspects of health, but also the spiritual, mental, and emotional elements.

    Instead of overindulging our desires or denying our systems necessary nutrition, we ought to praise God with our diet. He provides both spiritual and physical food that nourishes and strengthens us. We must carefully consider what we put into our body, being mindful of not only the thoughts we think or the images we see, but also of the food with which we fuel it. We ought to worship God in everything we do, even while we eat.

Healthy Tipsfor a Happy Holiday Season

    During the holidays, we find time to catch up with loved ones and give thanks to the Lord for His many blessings. With this season of reminiscence and family gatherings come great-tasting traditions?and unwelcome extra pounds. Many experts believe the average American gains as much weight in November and December as during all other months combined! Follow these three simple tips to make the most of your holiday experience without becoming a statistic and putting unnecessary stress on your body.

    1 Eat a healthy breakfast. Since most holiday parties take place later in the day, it is very important to start with a healthy breakfast high in protein, healthy fats, and plenty of fiber. These foods provide essential nutrients that you may not get later in the day.

    2 Drink lots of water. We all have heard we ought to drink eight glasses of water a day, but few people actually do. Many people mistake thirst for hunger, which contributes to weight gain as well as dehydration. If you drink eight ounces of water whenever you get hungry, you will keep hydrated and reduce the amount of food you eat out of mistaken thirst.

    3 Consume foods high in fiber. Fiber helps to maintain proper weight, preserves healthy cholesterol levels, and improves elimination. Try to consume high fiber foods every day such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Fiber-rich foods also help to reduce cravings and balance blood sugar levels.

    Don't wait until New Year's Day to start eating well. Follow these three tips to stay happy and healthy?and a few pounds lighter?this Christmas season.

Banana Bread  makes 1 9x13 loaf

3 cups whole, spelt, or wheat flour
1 cup water
1 cup whole milk yogurt
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 to 1/2 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 cup melted butter
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup chopped pecans

Mix flour with water and yogurt and let stand overnight. Beat in remaining ingredients. Pour into a well buttered and floured loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or more until a toothpick comes out clean.

Variation:Banana Spice Bread

Add 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon all spice, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of ground ginger to the above recipe.