In this month’s newsletter, we are expressing what may be relevant to the time and season of life many who are reading this are in. It is our desire to share what we are experiencing in real life and how to end well, and in the best health.  That is in covering all three areas of our being created in the image of God.   Our body, soul, and spirit – tips on growing older and ending our life on earth well.

First, the body aspect of health – one being and on my heart every time I go to any public place in this wonderful free country we are privileged to live in – the concern I have for the number of obese people in America. I am not talking of those considered overweight according to the BMI scale we are quoted as we see our doctors, but those who are on the obese level.

This appears to be especially true, having increased in the middle-aged adult population as I look at the current statistics. We are always to stay vigilant and aware of the spiritual aspects of our walk with God and take personal responsibility for our own lives as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit and live as we abide in His fruits and in surrendering to Him!

In so doing, may we not forget that the effects on our physical body in having food disorders and being gluttonous or even anorexic/ bulimic are a big part of our ending well. With added weight and food disorders, we are exposing ourselves to actually hating our own bodies and abusing that which God loves. The increase of medical costs and unnecessary pain and misery that we are creating for ourselves when we neglect our own bodies and mistreat them is not God’s plan for our lives and will prevent us from going forward with His plan. It is not God that brings sickness or misery to us when it comes from our own abusive and addictive habits.

He will heal our sickness even when we mess up, but he does want us to be vigilant to take care of our own body (temple) as much as we can to our ability and to have self-control and perseverance in doing so.  Study good nutrition, exercise, don’t smoke or drink alcohol at all or in excess, allow time to sleep adequately, keep mentally and socially active, and apply these things to your own life. May we not perish for lack of knowledge! 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

One of the things I want to share in the area of maintaining a healthy body is compulsive eating and my own recommendations and thoughts on this. I read recently that “binge eating” is a common and increasing problem in our society, and a good percentage of people are affected by it. I believe a lot of this has to do with the food we eat and our blood sugar levels. When we eat foods that spike our blood sugar, we will reach for more food in a short time to satisfy the up-and-down levels. White sugar, highly processed white flour, and processed foods loaded with unhealthy, unnatural preservatives and ingredients especially have this effect, as do carbonated high -sugar soda. I will say that studies have shown that the sugar substitutes used are harmful and actually increase your appetite.  I will add that even organic corn chips, and milk chocolate have this effect on me personally.

             I prefer to have 12-16 ounces of coffee every morning, black or with a small amount of milk and no sugar (This amount of coffee, in moderation without added sugar or cream, is proven to be very good for increased cognitive effects and blood sugar and has antioxidants, as do green and black tea in moderation.) The importance of eating healthy proteins (such as a small amount of nuts, lower-fat real unprocessed cheese, and hummus) to keep the blood sugar level when we are reaching for a snack is good to remember and will satisfy for a much longer time. Whole real seasonal fruits are great to snack on and have as a dessert as well.  Berries and apples are especially low in glycemic levels and do not spike your blood sugar as some other fruits can do.

 Eating Well Leads to Ending Well

Even now, in these days of late summer, it has become evident that there are bugs causing havoc and bringing sickness to those eating fresh fruits and vegetables. We need to stay aware of the news on this, and all recalled things in our food supply, and also be sure to recognize that most vegetables and fruits need proper washing and the use of vinegar or baking soda soaks for a short time, with rinsing with pure water. Some need to be peeled and cooked adequately as is recommended.  Believe me, the benefits of eating real fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks.  I personally love to make strawberry and rhubarb crisp and fresh-baked berry and fruit pies.  I also enjoy growing vegetables, berries, and rhubarb in my small backyard. In following the tradition of both of our families. To grow whatever I can and be grateful and not wasteful of that which God provides is “ending well” written in my DNA.

Also, I think we have gotten away from three regular meals a day of nutritious eating, which is important to sustain good health and blood sugar levels. Personally, I also believe that many of the gluten problems are related to the addition of modified soy products to our bread and processed foods. I try to stay away from anything with soy, as I believe the main culprit of the increase of allergies to gluten can be in many instances soy and not whole wheat. That said, we eat organic oatmeal and use our Montana Wheat flour for our breads and baked goods.

I think the bottom line is to eat natural (real) foods (mainly vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy proteins including beans, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and lean meats, and I would add dark chocolate and full or reduced fat dairy) and throw out processed unnatural food and we all will do much better in this whole issue of eating disorders including gluttony and binge eating. I also believe that we need to be careful of snacking habits in between meals and drink an ample amount of water and decaffeinated green, black, and herbal tea every day.   In saying all of this, we need to treat gluttony as we would any addiction in the spiritual sense, and I believe nutritional education is important in the whole aspect of “staying free“.

To take care of our bodies as we are a temple of the Holy Spirit is important, as we all are aware that if our physical bodies are sick because we have not taken proper care of them, we will be limited in our abilities to live in the fullness of the destiny God has created us for.  May we end well and submit our lives to Him as He loves us beyond measure! We pray that this information will be a blessing to all of you and that you will stay healthy and enjoy this amazing month of August that will soon be upon us!