Better Health Through God’s Healing Garden

 “Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.”               (3 John 2)

Plants contain healing properties. That’s a fact! They create an alkaline environment which improves our mood, strengthens our immune system, repairs our cells and defends us against harmful UVA/UVB rays. There is no doubt that consuming plants extends our lives.

God didn’t place Adam on a beach, a desert, mountain top or in a forest. He placed Adam in a garden (Genesis 2:8) and gave him the keys to rule his kingdom . . .  all was well until Adam fell for Satan’s devious deception. A deceptive Satan still lures consumers away from life-saving nutrients toward false diet claims today.

The father of “modern” medicine, Greek physician Hippocrates, (400s B.C.) stated, “Let your food be your medicine, and let your medicine be your food.” He strongly believed that diet along with exercise, was the key to health. I admire any physician today who still deals in a nutritional solution.

So Many – Here’s a Few:

Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower: Cruciferous vegetables contain isothiocyanates, a 50 cent word which defends us against cancers, especially colon cancer. These vegetables contain protective chemicals; indoles and detoxifying enzymes which prevent cell damage. (anti-aging secrets?)

Cabbage has been known to heal ulcers. These are all our dieting friends, being low in calories and high in fiber. They attract and escort fats out of your system quickly.   These vegetables are best eaten raw or lightly cooked to release their healing properties.

There are many ways to use these versatile vegetables year round. It’s also the perfect season to plant a garden. Herbs liven up recipes without sodium and infuse your favorite dishes with valuable nutrients and fiber.

Garlic: My favorite!! It’s antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic, fights inflammation, infections and stimulates the immune system. It kills parasites, controls digestive problems, helps respiratory illnesses like bronchitis or asthma. It contains allicin with its healing property, (unless you burn it.)

Garlic heals wounds, prevents cancers, opens up the lungs, balances blood sugar, controls blood pressure, circulation, lowers bad LDL while increasing good HDL cholesterol and is great on meats, Italian, Asian and so many ethnic recipes! Because garlic contains high levels of selenium, it improves your mood, so why anyone wouldn’t consume as much garlic weekly as they can, beats me!

Onions: Similar to garlic, onions have many health benefits! Onions increase good HDL cholesterol, decrease inflammation, fights infection and are powerful cardiovascular agents.

Onions contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant which prevents cell deterioration and cancers. It’s also excellent in fighting off diabetes because it contains the mineral chromium, which regulates insulin.

New studies are to be released  soon  which profess that a compound in onions inhibits bone loss. Choose colorful red, green or yellow onions because they contain more beneficial chemicals than white.

Spinach: High in fiber, vitamin A, C, E, K, beta-carotene, manganese, zinc, selenium and lutein (for eye health). Spinach is a powerful cancer fighter and men especially should consume it because it helps prevent prostate cancer.

Its dark green color contains chlorophyll which detoxifies the body and is another cancer fighter. It’s vitamin A content supports a beautiful skin. Also helps in fighting inflammation, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.  It’s high water-density makes it a perfect addition to a diet.

Remember to allow your healthy demeanor and warm smile to always shine as an example to others. It’s our best testimony for God’s gift of Saving Grace!

“For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” (Luke 12:23)

2025- Create A Confident Body, Mind, and Spirit

Food for the Mind, Body and Spirit!

When I became a Christian, I attended a very strict rules and regulations church.  There were so many do’s and don’ts that I didn’t understand the Joy of the Lord until years later. Isn’t that what we do with food sometimes also? When some go on a diet, they so strictly adhere to all the rules and regulations required that they forget to find the joyful benefits from the food they consume! When we eat well, we feel great, act accordingly and that pleases our Lord.

God wants us to become healthy for a reason. Every food has a nutritional purpose and that purpose spans the entire realm of mind, body and spirit. He wants us to find JOY in the bounty He provided.

Here are my suggestions to obtain a healthier mind, body and soul:

Heart:  Have you noticed that those who distain God are overall grumpier individuals? But those who love the Lord exhibit a happier and peaceful countenance. Healthy individuals haven’t made food an idol. Their heart is at peace because they recognize that God is Sovereign and therefore their mind and spirit can overcome obstacles, even when challenges arise like heart disease and other illnesses.

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13)

The heart benefits from each of these:  L-carnitine which burns fat inside the mitochondria cells. Beef, fish, alfalfa, chicken and wheat contain L-carnitine. A diet rich in vitamin C, (citrus, red peppers, strawberries) B-6 (cabbage, milk, cantaloupe) and niacin (eggs, cereals, fish, chicken.) Additional foods that benefit the heart are garlic, onions and salmon.

Brain: Ditch the refined sugars! Sugar ages but a little sweetness satisfies the soul.  Consuming fruits such as strawberries and blueberries and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage maintain a strong memory.  Wheat germ, walnuts, green tea with powerful antioxidants boost memory. Consume foods rich in choline and lecithin for memory power (soy beans, egg yolks and liver.) These also restore telomeres, the end part of cells that retains youth.

“to be made new in the attitude of your minds;” (Ephesians 4:23)

Muscles:  Magnesium, calcium and potassium work in conjunction to maintain great muscle health. These can be found in bananas, wheat bran, beans, apricots, leafy greens, cocoa, sweet potato, orange juice and low fat yogurt.

By lifting weights you’ll create more muscle and therefore effectively burn fat throughout your body.

Bones: The expression “Use it or Lose it!” pertains here! Exercising our bones is an essential habit for long term health. Exercise improves mood as well as bones! If you can’t walk outside: climb stairs, lift weights or head to the gym! Increase your intake of  calcium,(salmon, yogurt, blackstrap molasses)  boron (apples, dried apricots, legumes, prunes, pears, leafy vegetables)  and manganese (whole wheat, pineapple, coconut, ginger, almonds, yams.)

“This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:8)

Digestion: If one’s body is toxic, he’ll not be a happy camper. Detoxify by consuming approximately 8 glasses of water daily along with a water-based diet (soups, salads, vegetables and fruits)  Add probiotic foods that will destroy your unhealthy bacteria (good quality yogurt, kefir or sauerkraut while  producing good bacteria and  cranberry, onion or garlic which kill bad bacteria as well. Include both soluble (oatmeal, apples, pears, veggies) and insoluble fiber (bran, corn, produce skin) to you daily routine to escort toxins out of your system.

And of course food for the soul . . . ?  Dark Chocolate!  Filled with antioxidants, flavonoids and macronutrients – what could be better to satisfy us while we are reading our daily devotional?

Live Life Well! Become a Positive New Creation in 2025!

Dying To Be Thin

I want to thank DGKaye. She has written one of the most sensible and truthful posts on crazy diet plans. This one using pills to lose weight.

The body has been Designed by God to protect itself. When it is forced to do something that is unnaturally innate, it eventually rebels. Using pills to lose weight is one of those situations.

As the weight comes off too quickly, it perceives it is starving. After you reach the goal, the brain states, “Aah, you need me to rescue you! I must get you back to normal.” which is heavier. You have most likely also lost muscle as well as fat as the weight came off quickly. Muscle is the furnace that burns fat. It also weighs more.

As much as you try to maintain your new weight, you’ll probably gain it back and then some because you have less muscle. Most find they go back to comfort food to make themselves feel better after being a “failure” once again. A vicious cycle. That is why a person psychologically must know WHY they eat in the first place.

I delve into this subject extensively in my healthy living book, “Life’s Too Short to Eat Bad Cheese” available as an ebook as well as paperback on amazon.com.

DGKayewriter.com

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Abusing Prescription Drugs and the Cost on our Health – #Ozempic

PUBLISHED ON July 16, 2024 by dgkaye

How far will one go to lose weight?

Ozempric, many who need it have a hard time finding refill prescriptions because so many overweight people think it’s the magic bullet to weightloss – a side-effect of the drug. Pharmacies can’t seem to keep enough in stock. If you ask me, great marketing tactic by Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company who makes the drug. Add that perk, tagging the side-effect of potential weightloss to the many other possible terrible ones, yet, ears perk up. Really? How far would we risk our health with taking prescription drugs for its tempting side-effect while it being sold as a diabetic drug. This is a drug that is made to work with the sugars in the body to control insulin levels. Why would anyone want to play with their sugar levels?

The above paragraph was written in draft months ago, meant to be a current topic, but I forgot I had it in draft. But I came across it in my dashboard while searching for something else, and it got me thinking how my questionable post about this drug was sitting collecting dust, when I saw on the news that they recently discovered a dangerous potential side-effect to this drug- glaucoma! Okay, that is just scary in itself. Don’t get me started on prescription pills. They all have one thing in common, potential side-effects and it’s up to us to decide if the risks are worth it. The so called ‘miracle’ drugs, such as Ozempic caught ears on fire to the many who struggle with weightloss and who are obsessed with weight loss miracles.

We all make choices when it comes to taking these drugs, depending on our medical situations, it usually comes down to if the problem outweighs the risk. So it boggles my mind why people would play with their lives by taking these unnecessary risks – especially for a ‘new’ drug on the market that gets a lot of buzz, having people clamoring for some before letting some time pass until there are reports on studies of what some of the users have experienced. People need to be their own advocates and do some digging on things they’re putting in their bodies. I know that I always investigate any drug prescribed to me or my husband. I have declined many a prescription in my life, just as I have weighed the need opposed to risk for my husband’s scripts.

I’m not a doctor, but I like to keep well-informed on current events and new discoveries, but I do know enough about diabetic drugs and how they work with the body because I made it my business to learn when my husband became diabetic. And I do know that insulin works with the pancreas to regulate sugars. Diabetic drugs mimick hormones to stimulate the movement of sugars along the blood. Some drugs – like Ozempic, also let the brain know or make it think the stomach is full, which is the appealing part to many seeking weightloss.

I do have to shake my head when I see prescription drug abuse. I happen to know at least three women at the gym I go to taking Ozempic. One girl is twenty years-old. She has lost more than she should and is addicted to the high of slimming down, so she’s still going strong with the drug, despite her complaints she shared with me of many stomach issues she’s now encountering. But no, she insists on still taking it.

I’m not going to go into the medical jargon here, but I will mention some of the other risky side-effects, besides the now touted scary two side-effects talked about – pancreatitis and possible glaucoma. There are claims of potential intestinal blockages, kidney damage, gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), stomach muscles and lining problems, and not to mention – thyroid cancer. This drug can be a big problem for anyone taking thyroid meds.

I’m basically writing a public service announcement here about taking caution and doing some research on any drugs you may be prescribed. Don’t get caught up in the moment of the Ozempic hoopla before doing your homework! Everyone’s health issues are different, and what works for one may be detrimental for another. Always do your homework before ingesting any kind of drugs – prescription or not.

©DGKaye2024

Great Post for Better Sleep!

What a wonderful post I found on Kris Becker’s Fitness blog.  It is sure to be a “keeper” for all of you who are having trouble getting proper sleep. I urge you to check out Kris’s other posts as well.

 

 

https://krisbeckerfitness.wordpress.com/2023/12/19/get-better-sleep-starting-tonight-six-tips-for-improving-your-sleep/?page_id=385

Caffeine, Stress, and Weight Loss

Our body is a bunch of chemicals – food’s a bunch of chemicals. Have you ever seen a chemistry lab in a movie scene where students place different chemicals into a vial, then watch as it bubbles up and eventually explodes? If we place too many chemicals in our bodies we have a tendency to explode too; in mental, emotional or physical form.

Body chemistry also changes personality. For example, if an “anti-vitamin” could be invented which would block Thiamine (B1- a feel good vitamin) from someone’s system, they would actually go crazy. Yes, maintaining chemical balance is that important!

Caffeine is considered the most widely used drug in the world and like all drugs, has side effects. Some good – like revving your engines in the morning and some bad, such as anxiety.

Caffeine affects everyone differently because each of us has a unique chemical makeup. My husband can drink a cup of coffee and fall asleep instantly. I have a cup at 1pm and I’m awake until after midnight.

Caffeine takes five minutes to enter and at least 15-35 hours to clear your system. Limit caffeine to 240 mg. per day. An 8 ounce coffee equals approximately 80-110 mg.

It’s a fact that caffeine washes away valuable B vitamins – whose primary purpose is to convert proteins, fats, and carbohydrates into energy. All that caffeine will deplete those extra vitamins, thus defeating the healthful claims of energy drinks.

A patient came to me addicted to thirty cups of coffee per day. It was a revelation that her caffeine consumption was the main reason she could not lose weight. All her B vitamins were basically washing away. It took months to overcome her addicition.

So if you are on a diet and have been consuming colas and energy drinks, stop now! They have very few nutrients and one should always eat for nutrients!

The more caffeine you consume the more bone loss you will endure, increasing your chances of osteoporosis. Caffeine, especially ones as potent as Monster, Rock Star, Red Bull, AMP, deplete valuable nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium which strengthen your bone structure.

A little is fine, but more is not better! Too much caffeine and your brain will go into its protection mode when overloaded.  The body will demand more to acquire the same effect.

Consuming a caffeinated energy drink and exercising afterward is a risky practice! What is the purpose of aerobic exercise but to increase your heart rate, right? Guarana, found in many energy drinks, is a powerful stimulant, which increases the heart rate even more.

Caffeine elevates your blood pressure and heart rate, artificially stimulating your system. Exercising on an energy drink could over-stress the heart muscle, causing arrhythmia, heart palpitations, nausea, anxiety, headaches, and agitation. You might look good but no one will want to be around stressed-out you!

Energy drinks do not replace electrolytes. They contain little to none and are actually diuretics. Some mistakenly equate energy drinks with sports drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade. This is a jeopardizing misconception! Sweat and you will become dehydrated quickly. When an athlete loses hydration, it can be dangerous. Water is the best energy drink you can consume while exercising.

The antidote to stress is fresh air, exercise, laughter and a relaxing soak in a spa tub.  Also replenish your calcium, potassium, and magnesium based foods. Essential oils, aromatheropy, massages, and facials are also recommended. Allow your body to naturally relax – it wants to help restore you emotionally, physically, and spiritually.”

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

How Much of Health is Our Responsibility?

Would God allow us to fail just for the sport of it?  For example, if we discovered we had a debilitating illness, would He pull the rug out from under us and provide no escape from it?  Would He taunt,”Haha, gotcha! That’ll teach ya to disobey!” 

Seriously, is that how you view Him? No, God always provides strength for those who seek Him. Whether we accept it is our choice.

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

God desires only the best for us. But do we want what is best for us? Be honest, not always. We are a disobedient culture. Occasionally we self-destruct.  We give in to temptation and fail miserably. Temptations abound all around us! Satan loves to tempt Christians, hoping we’ll fail. It’s good sport to him.

God originally created a perfect, joyful life and He never wanted to take that away from us! Adam and Eve did that. I don’t know many people who are joyful when living outside life’s rules. Don’t become that spoiled child we see in a supermarket demanding treats! A life of strict rules and regulations isn’t much fun but neither is a chaotic life without boundaries.

We wouldn’t reverently pray, “God protect me as I travel today,” and then drive recklessly, without a seatbelt, through stop signs, expecting God to honor us.  As God’s children, He provides limits for a reason. If we stubbornly push beyond them, we risk danger due to our own choices.

Likewise, we must take responsibility for our own eating habits.

Look at how the Jewish nation was instructed to eat in the Old Testament.  Their culinary boundaries were the whole grains, fruits and vegetables mentioned in the Bible: Lamb, beef, fish, cucumbers, figs, raisins, melons, olives and olive oil, grapes, apples, wine, milk, honey, grains and Ezekiel bread. There wasn’t a chemically, hormone-added, preservative-based meal in the bounty He handed out!

Several patients have sat in my office and blamed God for their troubles. In my frustrated humanity, I’m thinking, God did this to you? Did God force you to consume two bacon cheeseburgers at lunch every day? And did He force you to smoke three packs of cigarettes a day? Take ownership of your choices! Don’t blame God for your personal decisions.

Please don’t get me wrong, sometimes genetics has something to do with it and it might be our unfortunate lot in life to inherit an illness from a family member’s DNA. But almost every illness can be traced back to what we consume nutritionally; diabetes, heart disease, liver, kidney damage, IBS, even cancers.

I praise God that He didn’t ask me to live in Old Testament times. I am not sure I could pass the test with all of its precise culinary rules, regulations and sacrifices as required. God banned certain foods and instructed Israel how to eat for sanitary reasons. Today we have refrigeration and sanitary oversights. However we also live in a world of grace– we get to choose, so choose what is best.

 

 

God Doesn’t Want You to Fail!

God takes no pleasure in our failure. He does not want us to suffer through some complicated weight loss scheme! Weight loss isn’t about denying oneself chocolate, cheese, eggs or even whole grain bread while consuming only rice cakes and celery. There is no need to suffer through some restrictive, unappetizing diet plan in the quest to get healthier.

Yet many dieters suffer through unnecessary dietary rules, regulations and tasteless choices. I call this the “penance principle.” In the effort to lose weight, some feel they must suffer through horribly tasting food and consume few calories to gain acceptance, thinking God will be pleased with their “sacrifice.”

God doesn’t desire sacrifice, He only wants your obedience: “But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”  (1 Samuel 15:22)

God already instructed us how and what to eat in Genesis 1:29: “Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” And then after the flood in Genesis 9:3, mankind began to eat meat: “Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.”

In the process of imbibing a restricted, low-calorie diet, vital nutrients, muscle tissue and energy are lost. Follow a sensible diet such as the Dash, Mediterranean,  or Volumetrics Diet.

True health is about nutritional practicality, physiology and our emotional attachment to food and as I’ve proclaimed to my patients: “Life’s too short to eat bad cheese!” God doesn’t want you to settle for second best so neither do I.

Life is a never-ending research project. Every day on the internet you’ll read about new research on diets and biological health. Some studies are based on physiological facts but others on evolutionary garbage created by man and not based on Biblical Truth. Base your diet on Genesis 1:29 and Genesis 9:3.

Create a Positive Attitude: 

It is amazing how the mind can be one’s most motivational cheerleader and friend one moment and in a blink of an eye, be its worst enemy. One’s mind can build up – but also break down a person so emotionally that they hide their subconscious thoughts behind closed doors in a far-off corner of the brain.

Sometimes it’s simply too painful to unlock those memories to view them honestly. We build emotional walls of untruthful statements such as “I’m a failure,” “I knew I couldn’t do it,” “Maybe my teacher is right, I’m stupid.”

No wonder we search for ways to self-medicate with feel-good chemicals that blot out emotional pain. Addictive chemicals found in drugs, alcohol, smoking or even chocolate, ice cream, donuts and spicy foods like spicy salsa can diminish our inner pain, providing comfort.

But through it all know this: God loves you. He created you before the world was created. He knows you individually and how much you can endure and will not provide more than you can bear. You are unique to God. We all react differently to provocations and pain. He has provided a way out if we desire it.

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)

Place your challenges in God’s Hands.

“I’m What???” The Diet Personality Test Concludes

“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7)

We’ve come to the end of our Personality test results. We are complicated personalities so you’ve probably seen yourself in several already.

Here is the conclusion from January 3rd’s post:

If you are #10: very thrifty or #11: very regimented/organized – congratulations you win a prize!

Your personality is disciplined, sensible, and strictly follows instructions when you understand the reason why. If you are given reasonable tasks, your self-esteem will propel you onward. However, if you don’t understand the reasoning behind the action, you’ll become frustrated and search for another teacher.

This personality responds best to practical examples. You ask questions that keep teachers on their toes. You need to know how instructions apply to your life.

Paying for an expensive meal package plan wouldn’t last long because you don’t waste money. You think I can make this better for less!

The downside to this personality is that you have no patience with people who don’t succeed, even yourself. You believe you have no willpower which is a fallacy. If you lose control, it could be a chemical imbalance or insulin resistance. Don’t trust a hopeful-sounding false diet guru. Trust your logical instincts.

Follow a colorful diet plan like the Mediterranean, DASH, or Volumetrics plan. Research and read sensible dietitians or nutritionists. Start with small goals. Soon you’ll feel empowered to succeed.

If # 12: food is extremely important in your life or #16: you prefer chicken over steak:

Most likely inquisitive, you’d rather create meals at home. You believe chicken has even more recipe creativity than beef. You must understand what food labels mean and search out flavorful recipes that are healthy.

Anything is fine in moderation but if you lose control, you regret it the next day. Additional exercise is your payback.  There are so many recipes on the internet

Restaurants are your downfall. If you frequent restaurants, don’t arrive hungry and lose control. Compromise. Have a peppermint about a half hour before you arrive, it reduces your hunger. Mentally decide before you go, that you’ll eat half and bring the rest home.

Don’t ever tell yourself, “Well, it’s my life, I can eat what I want!” And then what? If you develop an illness, it affects those around you. Do you love food more than your children? They’d suffer if you became ill. Think of the consequences before you act irrationally.

Are you #17: preferring potatoes at every meal or #18: salty snacks, potato chips, or pretzels?

Well, first, you probably are a man. No offense, men usually prefer crunchy and women, sweets – but not always. Do you select French fries or potato options as a side instead of rice, quinoa, or couscous?

At parties, this personality isn’t tempted by sweets but by salty selections: cheese dips, salsa, chips, egg rolls, etc.

If you sometimes crave crunchy items, it could indicate that you are angry, stressed, or frustrated and psychologically need something to take it out on!

Ensure that you drink plenty of water to regulate your blood pressure. Salt reduces blood vessels. Weakened blood vessels and stress is an open invitation to a heart attack or stroke. Release that frustration through fresh air, exercise, calming music, or an aerobic workout. Don’t allow emotions to conquer your self-discipline.

I hope you’ve found that this series answered questions about why you eat as you do. Now run the race and press onward toward your healthy goal!

 “I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.”  (Psalm 119:32)

The Personality Evaluation Answers – Part Two

On January 3rd, I sent out a Personality Evaluation regarding the correlation of our personalities to food. It addressed some of the mental and physiological reasons as to what provokes us to eat as we do.  The first part of the questions were addressed on January 8th. Below is a continuation of that post.

Q. #5   I prefer to be alone and  Q.#13  Raw salad is one of my favorite meals.         

There’s a difference between being alone and lonely. It’s difficult to be on a healthy regimen when you cook for one person. Packaged food in the freezer section of the grocery store tends to contain chemical preservatives and salt.

Try this: Dedicate one day to slow-cook a roast, create pasta sauce, hard-boil some eggs, or cook an entire chicken. Then plan daily meals for the week ahead. It doesn’t take long to grill up some vegetables, create a small or Chef’s salad, or microwave a sweet potato. You’ll be consuming nutrients, not chemicals.

Ensure you get nutrients into your daily routine. In today’s world, there are several healthy meal service plans available. But check out the labels and choose those that have low sodium and chemical content.

Do you enjoy cooking? Don’t know how to boil water? Own an air fryer? Join or watch a cooking club TV show that specializes in healthy living. Go to the library and find healthy recipe cookbooks.

Q. #7  Sometimes my personality tends to be anxious, irritable, jittery? Or #14 I often get hungry between meals

Or even lethargic?  Too much sugar provides an insulin rush and then drops you flat. You’ll drag yourself around for the day, not quite feeling yourself or mentally “out-of-it.”

If you haven’t cut down on sugar, caffeine, or energy drinks, get off them slowly. Your pH is most likely on the acidic side. That is an open invitation to cancers and other illnesses.

One of my patients drank 30 cups of coffee daily. Her pH was extremely acidic because she was washing away valuable nutrients. It took months, but she gradually got down to only two cups.

Artificial stimulants like energy drinks jumpstart your metabolism but your brain believes you’re ill. Your body metabolism will slow in defense. To protect you, it instinctively stores fat to survive any upcoming illnesses.

Increase leafy greens and other fibrous fruits (apples, berries) and vegetables(avocados, broccoli, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes) in your diet. This will increase your pH to the alkaline side, creating a calmer and healthier attitude.

You actually might need more food if you get hungry during the day. But you must ask yourself, “Am I really hungry or just bored, provoked by a feeling, or a TV advertisement?”

Add a bit more protein which takes longer to break down (2-4 hours) in your bloodstream. Increase your intake of B vitamins which calm the body and mind. A 1/2 cup of cottage cheese with fruit or a small banana shake with 1% milk, ice, and cinnamon or dash of nutmeg.

Add good fats to your diet like avocados, walnuts, peanut butter, or olive oil to your body which satiates and lasts 5-7 hours in your digestive system. Good carbs are sweet potatoes, broccoli, apples, beans, oatmeal, and any fibrous fruit or vegetable. A bit of peanut butter or cheese on a whole grain cracker, popcorn, or fibrous fruit will last about 2-3 hours in your system. By doing this you overcome reaching for a donut or candy bar for quick energy.

“Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me.” (Psalm 27:11)

Always strive for healthier living!

The Dietary Personality Test – Results Part One

As I began writing, my response became so long, I needed to break up one post into several.

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17) NLT

So pull up the questionnaire from January 3rd and we’ll begin: 

Q. #1  I’ve already been on at least five diet plans  and #8 “I feel deprived on a diet”

You’ve  attempted a merry-go-round of diets. Do you lose weight but it always comes back? You’ll take every friend’s advice, read magazine articles, follow celebrities who have been successful, but wonder why you’re not?

Remember those celebrities have dietitans, fitness trainers,personal chefs, and monetary incentives. And yet, even celebrities gain their weight back. Why? Because success is personal, it begins from within. God designed you uniquely.

Are you searching for a quick fix? Are you always hopeful that you’ll find the Golden Ring on that caruosel, and once found, be set for life?

There is no quick fix. Staying healthy takes work! The only way you’ll be successful is by consuming a diet that will last a lifetime. One that includes every food group and a variety of nutrients. I recommend the basic Mediterranean, Dash, or Volumetrics diet.

Perk up your dietary knowledge by studying physiology. Every nutrient you eat has a purpose to sustain health. Nutrients are the chemicals that keep your body functioning at its best potential. Discover the “why” behind the science of nutrition. You’ll feel empowered!

Keep a journal as to where, why, how you’re feeling, and what you are eating. It might all boil down to emotional attachments to food.

Q. #2  I lead a hectic, busy life and  #9 I prefer structure in my diet plans.

Realtors, teachers, emergency and safety officers, hospital and office workers, find it hard to fit mealtime into their schedule. These types usually need a low maintenace diet plan. One that is simple and organized to fit their lifestyle.

Regimented diet plans like Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, or Nutrisystem would work (with a dose of fitness club after work to relax.) I say that only because these personalities would grab a donut, burger or skip meals if they were needed elsewhere. Please don’t sacrifice health for your company.

Q. #3  I’m a curious person  and  #6  I like making my own decisions.

Congratulations, you’re very trainable, but for heaven’s sake, stay away from Buffets!!! Curious people want to know what everything tastes like.

Worse, if poor growing up, are members of the “Clean Your Plate” club!  At best, place only a variety of items you’d like to sample on a small plate and savor them slowly. Find something to do with your hands. Hold onto seltzer water.

Curious people usually enjoys researching. Discover how unhealthy foods affect pH bodily function,your heart, bones, digestion, etc. Anything’s fine in moderation but eat for nutrients because they’ll satisfy faster. They like color – so eat a variety of colorful foods. A Mediterranean type diet is for you.

Q. #4  I’m very social and # 15  I tend to crave sweet snacks  or   

Social people are “pleasers.” Life of the party people.

Parties are your downfall. Every appetizer and fancy drink call your name. You might lose your resolve after a couple of drinks. Better yet, get away from the food location and spend time with friends discussing your favorite sports team or politics – that’ll ruin your appetite!

Ask a dietitian or nutritional counselor to counsel you on how emotions affect eating habits and practice other ways to socialize without eating or drinking.

You might try a church-run, activity center health program, or Overeaters Anonymous where socialization is normal. These programs usually offer low-cost solutions using “normal” recipes with nutrients, herbs and flavor. A support system with accountability is important! Find one and reach goals together.

This is a start. It’s not easy but begin with small steps. You can do this!

Personality is covered in detail in my healthy-living book, “Life’s Too Short to Eat Bad Cheese” – available on amazon.com in ebook  and paperback form.