nutritive material taken into a living organism to sustain life, to promote growth and the repair of tissues, and to give energy for the vital processes.
Zondervan Bible Dictionary
So much of what people consider food now days is merely something that makes you feel simply not hungry and has very little nutritive value. God designed our bodies to eat what He has provided for food. (Go back to Monday's post for that info.) And yet, the modern diet contains little of these fabulous foods. Here's the deal with poor nutrition - illness and disease prevent us from enjoying life and keep us from serving God and others. Plus, going to the doctor and prescriptions are expensive!
Here's some info from the World Health Organization:
Globally - 1 billion adults overweight/ 300 million obese - Major contributor to the global burden of chronic disease and disability...increased consumption of more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods with high levels of sugar and saturated fats, combined with reduced physical activity, have led to obesity rates that have risen three-fold or more since 1980.
As incomes rise and populations become more urban, diets high in complex carbohydrates give way to more varied diets with a higher proportion of fats, saturated fats and sugars. At the same time, large shifts towards less physically demanding work have been observed worldwide. Moves towards less physical activity are also found in the increasing use of automated transport, technology in the home, and more passive leisure pursuits.
Connie Evers reported on the Diet Channel - This (childhood obesity) "epidemic" has actually been 30 years in the making. Several things have happened in America since the late 1970s which have contributed to this trend. The availability and intake of sweetened beverages has greatly increased among children and teens, kids have more disposable income, there is easy access to large portions of food and beverages, families do not prioritize shared meals, the electronic age has promoted sedentary lifestyles, safety issues pose a barrier for many children as far as playing outdoors, mass media bombards us with the message of over-consumption, and the list goes on.
In a nutshell, kids of the 70s, played outdoors more, ate more home-cooked family meals, and were restricted in terms of sweetened beverages and other "treat" foods.
Sadly, we are seeing more adult diseases in children, including Type 2 diabetes, joint problems, and risk factors for coronary heart disease such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If the obesity trend continues, some experts predict that the current generation of children may have a lowered life expectancy than their parents.
I remember when young, my brothers and I would be so excited when all three of us got to share one 8 oz. Coke. And that didn't happen very often! We ate fresh vegetables grown in our huge garden, that we hoed daily, and meat from our own butchered beef and chickens. We always had fruit for breakfast along with eggs from our chickens and we enjoyed fresh milk and cream on our cereal from our cows. When my brothers and I all had kids and would go to Mom and Dad's house we were astounded that they had stocked the frig with soft drinks and everyone could have their own!
So, what's all the fuss about soft drinks? Consider these stats:
2 per week increases your risk of pancreatic cancer by 87%
1 per day increases your risk of metabolic syndrome (heart disease and diabetes) by 44% and obesity by 60%
2 per day increases your risk of gout by 85%
Yikes! I know that for me, eating the food God has provided has done amazing things for my health. But, don't take my word for it. Do some research on the Internet and find out for yourself. Or better yet, read the list of ingredients on the "food" you currently have in your house. You will be astonished to find out how much of it has high fructose corn syrup in it. Keep a "food" diary for just a week and discover just what you and your family are putting in your mouth that is disguised as "food". Remember the definition... just sayin'!
And trust me, I know it isn't easy to change eating habits! My promise to you is to provide only healthy recipes and tips on this blog from now on. Here's today's tip: Some people have trouble drinking water because it makes them feel bloated. I'm one of those people. It's important to drink water every day because it helps your body flush out toxins. So, what do you do if you have trouble drinking water? Put a squeeze of fresh lemon, lime, or orange in your water, or several slices of fresh cucumber. For some reason, it helps. Also, you should not drink cold drinks with your meals. It keeps your digestive juices from working properly.
Decor
My middle daughter has begun a blog that has great ideas for decorating. In fact, every time I go to her house, I get new ideas to incorporate at my house. Plus, she has a great sense of humor! Visit her blog at: repurposed-sarah.blogspot.com
Here's a picture of another picture frame I had in a closet that was re-purposed with scrapbook paper. Free decoration!
Today's Recipe - Family Roast Beef
Jordan Rubin
4-5 lb chuck roast, from grass fed beef
1/4 pound butter (not margarine)
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
Celtic sea salt
black pepper, freshly ground
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Rub the roast with salt and pepper and place in a baking dish with 2-inch sides. In a saucepan, melt the butter and add an equal volume of Worcestershire sauce. Pour the sauce over the roast. Bake slowly at 325 degrees until a meat thermometer reads 150-155 degrees (for medium). Remove the roast from the oven and allow it to rest and redistribute the juices before carving. The temperature will climb to 180 degrees. It is particularly important that grass-fed beef be cooked more slowly at a lower temperature than commercial beef. Grass-fed beef should also be allowed to "coast in" to the desired level of doneness by removing it from the oven several minutes before you think it is done. This preserves the juiciness and produces meat that is more tender.
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