Wisdom? How Wisdom Gets Lost in the Wind

How Wisdom Gets Lost in the Wind

Illustration: How Wisdom Gets Lost in the Wind, a huffing and puffing cloud

How Wisdom Gets Lost in the Wind

A strong wind has been bending and twisting trees this morning, threatening to rip them out of the ground. If I were to stand outside and yell, the wind would drown out my screams. Sometimes a gentle breeze carries a spoken word over quite a distance, but a strong wind smothers any sound but its own.

Set-in-their-ways people stubbornly blow like a strong wind, nursing long held opinions that destroy the quality of life over time. We take our stand to point out to people the undeniable connection between the food they eat and the quality of a disease-free life. We bring it up, and then, the storm begins to blow, drowning out our voice.

“I know that eating salads is supposed to be better for me, but I’m not going to give up my life of eating what I enjoy. I’d rather die young!”

This comment comes from a short, rotund, friend of mine who now hurts without the prescription drugs that help him manage pain and whose wife has been diagnosed with the onset of Parkinson’s Disease. The dying young part may sound like a simplistic choice; however, our nature will fight it. Our bodies carry designs that make the preservation of life a priority. We put our lack of health in conflict with nature when we fail to cooperate. But then, my voice in explaining the truth gets drowned out by the determined ignorance of some people who still fail to make the connection between health and the food we eat. Wisdom gets lost in the wind.

“I know I can eat better, but I like what I eat and the doctor has given me the prescriptions I need to overcome the blood pressure, liver problems, and lack of sleep I have. I can handle it.”

She’s lived with the health problems for at least a decade. She and her husband invest at the pharmacy each month to the tune of over a thousand dollars. The same investment each month in fresh, colorful fruits and veggies would be likely to get the same, or better, results. Wisdom gets lost in the wind.

We have wind and wisdom stories to tell.

Chrohn’s Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), similar in some ways, prove to be extremely painful. Each makes life miserable according to those who try to live with the problem. Especially if these diseases are caught early, they can be overcome with a change in food and exercise lifestyle. As a matter of fact, here’s a story from one long time sufferer who has become an overcomer.

This week we have a special testimony written by Cherri Crockett that appeared in the Rumford Fall Times on October 5, 2012. Rumford Falls is located in the state of Maine.  http://ow.ly/UXHMP

Wisdom or worry? Photo of a Lady who looks Worried about Physical problems in Aging

Wisdom or worry? It’s your choice!

We share stories like this to keep spreading wisdom, but the wind frequently drowns out the truth. Once we realize that God has designed our body to be self-healing when given the proper materials with which to work, we overcome almost all health problems. We say almost, because not all situations and circumstances can be overcome. However, this story shows the truth of the principles we teach.

We need your help. We need you to help spread the stories of triumph in the face of tragic, chronic illness. As we support each other in choosing a better, healthier lifestyle and sticking to it every day, we can calm the wind that drowns out wisdom.

Share your story with us. We’re here to encourage and bring hope to people who hurt. This community can grow and become a force. Get on board by sharing here or by sending us an email.

 

Alzheimer’s Disease Researchers May Be On To Something

Alzheimer’s Disease Researchers May Be On To Something.

Alzheimer's Disease Photo illustration of the brain

Alzheimer’s Disease Researchers Show a Possible Link to Microbial Infections

The mind is an interesting place. The brain acts as the processor and repository for our all we sense, think, and remember. What if something gets in the way of the normal processing? Recent research suggests that various fungi may be a contributor. If this proves to be true, which will take years more of research, then Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and other neural disorders may be more treatable.

 

 

 

The stories are here:

  • “Different Brain Regions are Infected with Fungi in Alzheimer’s Disease” http://ow.ly/TCrLt and
  • “Is Alzheimer’s caused by FUNGUS? Traces found in the brains of sufferers suggest the disease ‘could caused by an infectious microbe” http://ow.ly/TCtfk

Disease of any kind is a life changer for the person afflicted and everybody around them. You’re familiar with many heartbreaking stories from relatives and friends. The medical community works hard to help people manage symptoms and try to give the body a chance to heal.

In the meantime, eating a healthy and balanced diet, not smoking, staying physically active and keeping weight and blood pressure in check can all help reduce the risk of dementia. Many confusing opinions of what makes up a healthy and balanced diet exist, but we have found the Hallelujah Diet or some whole food, plant-based version of a food lifestyle works the best. That’s why we say eat, drink,and go veggie. Start here:  http://ow.ly/TCui8

We also have found another helpful resource in a book by Dr. Benjamin Mast, “Second Forgetting: Remembering the Power of the Gospel during Alzheimer’s Disease.” You may want to check it out here  http://ow.ly/TCuta.

Please share in the comments about what has worked for you or your family. What encouragement can you give?

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Jump Into Juicing Again

Jump into Juicing for Fun and Health, the title of a recent blog post at www.eatdrinkandgoveggie.com helps people understand how to make juicing effective. This week, in our kitchen, we’re using juices for every meal and for in-between snacks too.

Photo:Veggie Bins showing Veggies ready for Juicing

Juicing: Medicine for Your cells

Detox, cleanse, Re-Start—call it what you want to, juicing is a way to give your entire body a vacation. We noticed that since we have been moving around the country this year, and especially through the summer season, we have strayed from our normal vegan/vegetarian/Nutritarian lifestyle. We have become quite flexitarian, choosing to eat more in restaurants, more packaged foods, and generally more not-so-good snack foods.

Well, we agreed to take a week, use Drew Canole’s Alpha Reset 5-Day Detox as a guide and clean up our food act. Day by day this week we will be juicing, giving the Green Star Elite Juicer a workout with a variety of juices, mostly veggie, but with the cleansing power of fruits as well.

Normally, we follow the Hallelujah Diet, which we have been using and teaching for several years, coaching others to a healthier lifestyle as we go. We also gain insight and good advice from Dr. Joel Fuhrman. His books, Eat to Live, Super Immunity, and The End of Dieting will put anyone on the right track to better health.

Juicing—Here we go!

Before Day 1, we head out to the grocery store, the one that features the greatest number of organic choices in the produce department. Depending on where you are that could be Earth Fare, Whole Foods, Central Market, Sprouts, or other local markets and health food stores. What’s your favorite place to shop for good veggies? For around $100.00 we stock up on leafy greens; cucumbers; cruciferous veggies, including broccoli, cauliflower, red and Napa cabbage; lots of celery, and a few others. We buy pineapple, apples, strawberries, and pears. The ‘fridge is packed and we’re ready to go. Five meals per day for five days times two people—that should come out to about $2.00 per 16-ounce glass of juice. That’s an inexpensive meal.

Photo: Juicing with a Green Star Juicer

Click to Order Your Green Star Elite Juicer Now

Sure, juicing takes time and effort, but if we feel as well as we anticipate by the first of next week, it will have been worth it. We expect better physical response, an emotional uptick, improved bathroom habits, spectacular digestion, and a refreshed system overall. Over the years, we have done a few short-term juicing programs that are similar, and we’ve helped a few other people understand the process and get started on a healthier lifestyle. Now, we committed to using this method for this week. Wish us well, won’t you?

We’ll let you know what happens. People continually ask us how we eat and what we do to stay fit. We’re happy to share about juicing and our plant-based food lifestyle. We learn from others as well, so please share with us as often as you will. What experience have you had with cleansing and recovery adventures? What suggestions do you have that might make the experience even better?

 

Have Fun at the Fair

Have Fun at the Fair

Photo of a Ferris Wheel like you remember from a county fair

Have Fun at the County Fair, but look out for the Killer Foods.

There’s nothing quite like a county fair. The sights and sounds, colors and chaos, smells and yells create the atmosphere that holds such family fun. Most agricultural fairs have a section that shows off the best veggies grown this year. They look big, colorful, and tasty. A few fair planners around the country have begun to include a category called “organic” to the display venue. We’re pleased to see it. Otherwise, on the tables and around the fair, you’ll find a whole lot of killer foods!

Forget the food trucks, except for your once-a-year splurge for something fried and salty. You can survive almost anything, but if you’re a clean eater, you may be sorry for a few hours. Even the roasted corn, one of my favorites, you can bet was grown from genetically modified seed (GMO’s). It sure brings emotional memories though. How can we not chomp the kernels off an ear?

Photo of a funnel cake. One of the favorites at the fair, but beware.. It's made from killer foods!

One of the favorites at the county fair, but beware.. It’s made from killer foods!

The ladies, and a few men, put their best culinary efforts forward to win a ribbon too. Tables filled with cakes, pies, muffins, and more bring out the oooh’s and ahhh’s and requests for recipes. If you’re trying to eat clean for health, to lose weight, to stay in shape, or just because you want to, beware of the ingredients list.

The Blue Ribbon winners sometimes are the most difficult to turn down, but they also frequently feature the most killer foods. Refined flours, sugar, eggs, milk, and salt form the base and flavoring for many foods, not just desserts. Because of our family heritage and food culture, they look oh so good.

Fair Food?

We’ll offer congratulations to the winners, of course. They have applied their lessons well. We also will go on wishing for more entries in the vegan, vegetarian, and raw food categories. Some will say we’re joy killers, but the truth is, recipes that do not include the killer foods can taste good too. May be we’ll see more in the years to come. In the meantime, just be careful what you choose and how much you take home. After all, there’s nothing quite like a county fair.

In spite of the warning, what’s your favorite Fair Food?

We’d love to hear from you. Respond here, on the FB page, or send us email at veggie1@eatdrinkandgoveggie.com. We’re eager to hear from you.

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“I have fallen and I want to get up!” 4 Ways to Restore Healthy Habits

“I have fallen and I want to get up!” –

Restore Healthy Habits when You Have Fallen

“I’ve fallen…” Check these 4 Ways to Restore Healthy Habits

We heard from a friend today who has previously shared our commitment to a plant-based, clean, healthy lifestyle. She says she’s drifted back to former habits and feels horrible. Essentially she says, “I have fallen and I want to get up!” Knowing the promise of eating and living clean, she’s reaching out for support. We’ve been there. Struggling to get up by yourself after you’ve fallen looks impossible. Having the encouragement of friends, or at least one friend, helps you make the shift to get back to feeling good again.

If the motivators simply revolved around diet, in other words, just the food we eat, you might be successful by just cleaning out the pantry. What we buy can be as important as what we put on the plate. If you don’t buy empty-calorie food and stick to fresh plant-based choices, you will eat better and feel better.

There is a bit more to it than this. We are not simple creatures of habit, instinct, and appetite alone. The deeper question for many of us, “How’s life?” and understanding the real answer to it, will help us understand and change the habits we develop, or slide back into.

Comfort food frequently draws us away from what we know is right to eat. Withdrawal from people and events sometimes isolates us from perceived pain. Where do these stimulators come from and what do we do about them?

Here are 4 ways to restore healthy habits.

Consider these four areas of your life with powerful questions:

  • How are you doing spiritually? Have you met, come to know, and follow Jesus? Have you developed the spiritual side of your life and come to terms with who you think you are and your primary purpose?
  • Are you moving? Do you get off the couch and walk the dog? Do you have a daily routine to stretch some muscles and get the kinks out of your limbs? Are you committed to expanding your physical activity to feel better? Regular exercise brings better health.
  •  How are your relationships? Are you able to associate with people who give you a lift? Have you learned to talk to yourself instead of just listening to yourself? Are you listening to positive music and reading uplifting books? Remember this, feelings follow actions. Your emotions do not and should not determine your choices, your mind does.
  • What have you learned lately? From what you have heard, what can you put into practice? Learning doesn’t stick if it is not applied in some way.

These cover the four major areas of what makes up life. Spiritual, physical, emotional and mental patterns and practices determine the quality of life we live. As you consider gaining new ground on your habits, understand that these four all play a part in our overall health.

When you fall and want to get up, pick a habit or pattern from each of these areas and practice replacing good habits for bad ones.

  • Pray and read scripture and inspirational devotionals every day. Pick a time and stick to it.
  • Take a 10-minute walk, or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk the dog, briskly for at least ten minutes. Or, if you are able, start an exercise program. Moving every day allows your lymph system to actually work to help remove the short term toxins from your tissues. Some form of mild exercise may be all it takes, but it needs to be daily.
  • You may need a new friend to lift you up; and you may need to move away from a friend who brings you down. If it’s your spouse that brings you down, you may need the help of a counselor. Otherwise, what change can you make, including your self-talk that will help get you back up?
  • We can change the way we think. You have past performance problems, current hang-ups, and future fears that just go to show you have your focus in the wrong place. When you pursue the three previous suggestions, this one will improve as well. Your mental capacity is far beyond what you think. You can learn, you can choose to use what you learn, and, if you do these things every day, your habits will change for the better. You’ll get more joy and you will feel better overall.

When you come to the point where you say, “I’ve fallen and I want to get up.” you can do it. You may need a friend. You may need to hire a coach. You may need to join a group. But, you can do it. In our experience and in coaching others, we have noticed that when you start with any one of these four, it makes the other three easier. No one can change your habits but you. You take responsibility and count on someone else for accountability. Make it happen! If you have fallen, get up! Get back to your healthy habits! Start now!

What’s your first thought about the renewed you?

We hope you enjoyed this dose of goodness and have found it helpful. If so, please leave a comment below. What has been working for you? What’s next? What do you suggest that will improve our suggestion?

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