We Are What We Eat

Finally, brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,  whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virture, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8



I'm on a diet.  I'm not on this diet necessarily to lose weight, though I could stand to lose a few pounds.  I'm on a diet to help control my high blood pressure and osteoperosis.  Over the past year, my blood pressure has been slowly creeping up, with the systolic pressure running between 120 to 140 and the diagnostic pressure consistently running between 80 and 100.  A couple of months ago I was finally diagnosed with high blood pressure when it reached 168/116.  I'm on blood pressure medication - a beta blocker that is supposed to also help migraines.  This newest health development along with being diagnosed with osteopenia (early stage  of osteoperosis) prompted me to make some serious life changes beginning last summer.  I began exercising regularly last summer for the sake of my bones.  I also began watching what I ate, trying to ensure I ate foods that would build up my bones and not eat foods that were notorious for interfering with bone development.  I did lose about 9 pounds in the process.  However, I didn't completely eliminate junk food from my diet.  I LOVE my junk food.  And what didn't seem to hurt, I ate. What I realized was it wasn't enough to minimize the foods that were detrimental to my bones.  I also had to select foods that were all around healthy...for all of me. 

When I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, I took drastic measures.  I realized that if I wanted to remain healthy and live to see my grandchildren (which I hope is a VERY long time away) then I would have to change my eating habits.  But not only that, I realized my family needed to eat healthier too.  So I began buying fresh fruits, vegetables, whole graines and meats.  I am relearning to cook with minimum canned or sodium/sugar laced foods.  We are drinking healthier at home as well- no sodas - juices, milk, water are the drinks of choice around here.  And you know what?  I have begun to feel so much better!  And you know what else?  My family LOVES it!  Scott has lost a few pounds without trying.  I think it's simply due to switching from eating processed foods prepared with processed products to the fresh foods.  Brittany especially loves it.  She's always been my little health nut - she's always exercising (running, lifting weights, playing basketball, badminton, etc...) and she's always careful about eating healthy.  Michael is adjusting.  He still loves his Mac N Cheese, but now I make it using whole grain macaroni.  He's never been much for sweets - he's always chosen fresh fruits for snacks over junk food.  In fact, from the time he was little, he was the odd ball kid who would eat the cake and leave the icing. Not me, I ate the icing and left the cake!  

As I pulled out my Kashi Heart Healthy Cereal instead of the Fruit Loops for breakfast this morning, I began thinking on how much my eating habits have changed in recent months. To this day, I am a junk food junkie...that will not change even though my eating habits have.  The difference is that I am deliberately making much healthier choices about what I eat.  The temptation will always be there for me to chose junk food over the healthy.  However, I know that it's not what is best for my body's health.  I must choose what is best if I'm to remain healthy, strong, and live a good life.  

Then I realized that this is also true of our spiritual lives.  It's so easy for us to reach for the 'junk food' of this world...the carnal influences are always around us pressing upon us.  But we must make spiritually healthy choices so that we can remain strong in our faith and live a good life according to God's plan for us.  We must choose to reach for heart healthy spiritual foods (praying, reading the Bible, fellowshipping with other Believers, listening to Christian praise and worship music, watching appropriate shows or movies, choosing Godly friends, etc...) instead of reaching for the junk food of life (songs that encourage ungodly behavior, shows or movies that are inappropriate, trash romance novels, etc...).

Remember, this life is a TEST...the temptation to eat junk food will always be there.  We just need to determine up front to make more spiritually heart healthy choices. 
        

In His Love, Cathy