Monday's Blessing
Luke 21:34

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and
drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a
trap."        

I offer part two in ensuring your family has a healthy lifestyle.  It plagues me to think of all the wide varieties of food that make our lives easier.  Sadly, these same foods wreck havoc on our spouses and children's digestive and immune systems leaving them with allergies, food sensitivities, and invisible illnesses.  These items that are supposed to make life easier for us do the direct opposite; instead they fill our lives with countless doctors, specialists, or teacher conferences discussing "questionable behavior".  We feel at loss,  vilified, taken advantage of by our own food industry, yet what steps do we take to counter this?  Often none, because of the old adage, "Well, my child won't eat that healthy stuff."  Yet, as parents, aren't we supposed to guide our children enticing correct behaviors?  Sounds like we are being more compliant by "giving in" instead.  And at what costs? 

Take note of the following top 20 additives to avoid in your food:

Allura    Food coloring in snacks, sauces, preserves, soups, wine, cider, etc. Avoid if you suffer from asthma, rhinitis (including hayfever), or urticaria (hives).

Amaranth    Food coloring in wine, spirits, fish roe.  Banned in the U.S. Avoid if you 
suffer from asthma, rhinitis, urticaria or other allergies.

Aspartame Sweetener in snacks, sweets, alcohol, desserts, "diet" foods.  May affect people with PKU (phenylketonuria). Recent reports show possibility of headaches, blindness, and seizures with long-term high doses of aspartame.

Benzoic acid  Preservative in many foods, including drinks, low sugar products, cereals, meat products.  Can temporarily inhibit the function of digestive enzymes. May deplete glycine levels. Avoid ifyou suffer from asthma, rhinitis, urticaria, or other allergies.

Brilliant Black, BN  In drinks, sauces, snacks, wines,  cheese, etc.  Avoid if you suffer from asthma, rhinitis, urticaria, or other allergies.

Butylated Hydroxy-anisole, BHA Preservative, particularly in at-containing foods, confectionery, meats.  The International Agency for Research on Cancer says BHA is possibly carcinogenic to humans. BHA also interacts with nitrites to form chemicals known to cause changes in the DNA of cells.

Calcium benzoate, Potassium benozoate  Preservative in many foods, including drinks, low-sugar products, cereals, meat products.  Can temporarily inhibit function of digestive enzymes and may deplete levels ofthe amino acid glycine. Should be avoided by those with hay fever, hives, and asthma.

Calcium sulphite  Preservative in a vast array of foods- from burgers to biscuits, from frozen mushrooms to horseradish. Used to make old produce look fresh.  In the U.S., sulphites are banned  from many foods, including meat. They can cause bronchial problems, flushing,  low blood pressure, tingling, and anaphylactic shock. The International Labour  Organization says avoid them ifyou suffer from bronchial asthma, cardiovascular,  or respiratory problems and emphysema.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)  Flavor enhancer.  Has been known to cause pressure on the head, seizures, chest pains, headache, nausea, burning sensations, and
tightness of face. Many baby food producers have stopped adding MSG to their products.

Ponceau 4R, Conchineal Red A  Food coloring.  People who suffer from asthma, rhinitis or urticaria may find their symptoms become worse following consumption  of foods containing this coloring.

Potassium nitrate  Preservative in cured meats and canned meat products.  It can lower the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood; it may combine with other substances to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic; and it may have an atrophying effect on the adrenal gland.

Propyl p-hydroxybenozoate, propylparaben, and paraben  Preservative in cereals, snacks, pate, meat products, confectionery.  Parabens have been identified as the cause of chronic dermatitis in numerous instances.

Saccharin & its Na, K and Ca salts  Sweetener in diet, and no-sugar products.  The International Agency for Research on Cancer has concluded that saccharin is possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Sodium metabisulphite  Preservative and antioxidant.  May provoke life-threatening asthma.

Sodium sulphite  Preservative used in wine-making and other processed foods.  Sulphites have been associated with triggering asthma attacks. Most asthmatics are sensitive to sulphites in food.

Stannous chloride (tin)  Antioxidant and color-retention agent in canned and bottled foods, fruit juices.  Acute poisoning has been reported  from ingestion of fruit juices containing concentrations of tin greater than 250  mg per liter.

Sulphur dioxide   Preservative.  Sulphur dioxide reacts with a wide range of substances found in food, including various essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes and essential fatty acids. Adverse reactions: bronchial problems particularly in those prone to asthma, hypotension (low blood pressure), flushing tingling sensations or anaphylactic shock. International Labour Organization says to avoid E220 if you suffer from conjunctivitis, bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, or cardiovascular disease.

Sunset Yellow FCF, Orange Yellow S  Food coloring.  Some animal studies have indicated growth retardation and severe weight loss. People with asthma, rhinitis, or urticaria should avoid this product.

Tartrazine  Yellow food coloring.  May cause allergic reactions and asthmatic attacks and has been implicated in bouts of hyperactivity disorder in children. Those who suffer from asthma, rhinitis and urticaria may find symptoms  worsen after consumption.

These additives list on the top 20 to avoid.  There are a multitude of other additives and preservatives that you should investigate.  But, this will get you started, ensuring you are reading your labels.  One reoccurring issue  is asthma and allergies.  Does one of your family members have one of these conditions?  Besides environmental factors, there is a good possibility the food he/she is ingesting is causing these factors.  Unfortunately, you could be contributing to his/her ill health.  Be on the look out!  Don't be complacent as the Biblical quote states.  Lest you reap what yoiu sow and that "trap" may close before you realize.  

Daily Guidance

1.  Read labels judiciously.  I know it is difficult to rid your house of every product,  but by making small changes each week your children will get used to new ideas and food choices.

2.  Find where your local Farmer's Market is located.  Often, produce is locally grown without pesticides.  

3.  Get your children involved in meal preparations.  Most kids love to cook and will be more apt to eat it if they've prepared it.

4.  Make your children conscious of their food choices!  Share information on additives and pesticides and how it relates to their health.  Teach them how to read food labels.  You'll be surprised how involved they get especially if they are aware of the health hazards.

































































































 



 

Monday's Blessing
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. "    

I wonder how many times we actually tune into this message.  Often our bodies, our Holy Temples, are treated as an after thought at the end of the day.  We take a warm soak to ease tension, but we are completely oblivious to the harm we caused it in the first place.  It is not until extreme illness hits that our foundation is so severely shaken, and we are caused to finally reevaluate our lifestyles to submit needed changes.  

Yet, this Biblical verse is one of the most important teaching tools in the Bible as a preventative measure.  God is constantly speaking to us about the importance of continuing our well-being.  Unfortunately, we feel that these bodies will keep going, regardless of how we treat them.  These priceless gifts from God can give out when we least expect it, especially if we are not treating them as God intended.

Today is your wake up call.   If you are prone to feeling out of sorts, plagued with aches and pains, or feeling fatigued often throughout the day, I challenge you to begin  making changes in your daily routine.  Believe me when I say, your body has the ability to heal itself.  It may not happen overnight, but we have all the necessary tools to keep ourselves running in tip top shape if we take the time to implement a few strategies.

I was amazed to find one church is taking this Biblical verse literally, Saddleback Church, with Pastor Rick has implemented The Daniel Plan.   This plan focuses not only on healthy eating and exercise, but the importance of being part of a support group.  God did not want us to keep these temples healthy alone!  He knows we are creatures of habit, and one human habit is the need for companionship.  Reach out to others when you begin your move towards a healthy lifestyle.  Friends challenge you, pushing you towards your brink.    From time to time, I will include lessons on healthy lifestyle.  Today, begin with The Daniel Plan and sign up by creating Your Health Profile.   Work through the site and utilize many valuable tools.  Just get started today before it's too late!

Daily Guidance

1. Begin by logging onto The Daniel Plan and learning strategic lifestyle changes to promote a healthier lifestyle.

2.  Take time TODAY to clean out your pantry of all types of process foods.  If you can't pronounce it, don't save it.

3. Learn to read food labels.  Dr. Mark Hyman offers a brief article helping you make better food choices.

4.  Learn how to navigate your grocery store to buy "The Good Stuff."

5.  Learn how to navigate your grocery store by keeping away from "The Bad Stuff."

6.  Print out the Good Foods Shopping List.

7.  Take back control of your health, and keep your children fit and healthy!

Monday's Blessing
Proverbs 31:26-31

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches
over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her
children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many
woman do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive , and
beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her
the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." 

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13th.  What type of relationship do you hold with your mother?  Is it one that is fleeting depending on personal needs or family traditions?  Are you in conversation with her on holidays only?  Call her when you need a special favor?  Make time for her only on her birthday?  Have you ever formed that bond of friendship since hitting adulthood? Or, do you just go through the moves laden with unfortunate memories from childhood?
 
If the latter is true, realize that you may be harboring trauma from your childhood.  These unfortunate incidents have shaped you into the person you are today.  And, unfortunately, have formed the side of us we usually don't appreciate.  You must free yourself of these negative feelings. The healing process begins by shedding some light on your feelings.  Oh, this may be something you may not want to broach on Mother's Day thinking, "It never does any good."  But, the reality is, for your own well-being, it   needs to be aired.  Of course, when you air it, don't assume everything will have an explanation.  Sometimes, stress in life has caused emotional imbalances.  Your mother may not be readily able to admit to this.  After all it is something she can not go back and fix.  Your mother may be a victim, too, and embarrassed to say so.  But, be comforted in the knowledge your voice was heard.  By getting it out on the table, you are allowing the healing process to begin. Then, above all, let her know you love and need her.  
 
Proverbs gives us an idealistic view of the perfect mother.  Or, at least the idealistic view of how she should perform on most days.  Underneath is reality.  And, reality can be heartless many a day.  Unfortunately, we as children of God, are not perfect as God.  Instead, we rely on our own tools that we feel work best and get us through life.  Sadly, these tools stay with us as memoirs to our children.  We can't undo what is done, but we can make amends.    Amends begins by opening up and stating how you feel.  Possibly there may be still issues that affect you today.  These must also be explained allowing time for her to respond.  The most important factor is to get your feelings out on the table and allow time for response.  This will begin the healing process for you, and hopefully build a stronger bond with your parent.  

As you open up the new avenues this Mother's Day, begin a relationship that will build often.  Be forgiving and understanding.  Remember it takes two to tango.  You may not have been the most optimal child.  Make a pact to get in touch more often and become friends.  Plan one day a week, or at least two days a month as Mom Day.  Let friendship start anew.  Don't be wait until the Lord takes her to realize the word's that should have been spoken in life.  
 


Daily Guidance


1. If your Mother has passed, write a note explaining your feelings- then seal it away.  Or, have a mental conversation with her saying you forgive all that's happened to you.

2. If you were a difficult child, and this has caused issues of trust in your relationship, apologize.
 
3. If she lives away, find ways to keep in touch more often. 

4. If you're at lost as to what to buy, try Mother's Day Gift Ideas.
 
5. Plan to spend ONE day a week with Mom.  Incorporate other family activities with her to bring her closer to you.