Food

Food for Life – Spiritual Power

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“For every soul struggling to rise from a life of sin to a life of purity, the great element of power abides in the only name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12. If any man thirst for restful hope, for deliverance from sinful propensities, Christ says, let him come unto Me, and drink. John 7:37. The only remedy for vice is the grace and power of Christ.

“The good resolutions made in one’s own strength avail nothing. Not all the pledges in the world will break the power of evil habit. Never will men practice temperance in all things until their hearts are renewed by divine grace. We cannot keep ourselves from sin for one moment. Every moment we are dependent upon God.

“True reformation begins with soul cleansing. Our work for the fallen will achieve real success only as the grace of Christ reshapes the character and the soul is brought into living connection with God.

“Christ lived a life of perfect obedience to God’s law, and in this He set an example for every human being. The life that He lived in this world we are to live through His power and under His instruction.

“In our work for the fallen the claims of the law of God and the need of loyalty to Him are to be impressed on mind and heart. Never fail to show that there is a marked difference between the one who serves God and the one who serves Him not. God is love, but He cannot excuse willful disregard for His commands. The enactments of His government are such that men do not escape the consequences of disloyalty. Only those who honor Him can He honor. Man’s conduct in this world decides his eternal destiny. As he has sown, so he must reap. Cause will be followed by effect.

“Nothing less than perfect obedience can meet the standard of God’s requirement. He has not left His requirements indefinite. He has enjoined nothing that is not necessary in order to bring man into harmony with Him. We are to point sinners to His ideal of character and to lead them to Christ, by whose grace only can this ideal be reached.

“The Saviour took upon Himself the infirmities of humanity and lived a sinless life, that men might have no fear that because of the weakness of human nature they could not overcome. Christ came to make us partakers of the divine nature, and His life declares that humanity, combined with divinity, does not commit sin.

“The Saviour overcame to show man how he may overcome. All the temptations of Satan, Christ met with the word of God. By trusting in God’s promises, He received power to obey God’s commandments, and the tempter could gain no advantage. To every temptation His answer was, It is written. So God has given us His word wherewith to resist evil. Exceeding great and precious promises are ours, that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4.

“Bid the tempted one look not to circumstances, to the weakness of self, or to the power of temptation, but to the power of God’s word. All its strength is ours. Thy word, says the psalmist, have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. By the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Psalms 119:11; 17:4.

“Talk courage to the people; lift them up to God in prayer. Many who have been overcome by temptation are humiliated by their failures, and they feel that it is in vain for them to approach unto God; but this thought is of the enemy’s suggestion. When they have sinned, and feel that they cannot pray, tell them that it is then the time to pray. Ashamed they may be, and deeply humbled; but as they confess their sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive their sins and cleanse them from all unrighteousness.

“Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on the merits of the Saviour. By prayer, by the study of His word, by faith in His abiding presence, the weakest of human beings may live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold them by a hand that will never let go. Ministry of Healing, 179–182.

Recipe for September 1996:

Savory Millet Casserole

1 Cup Whole Millet

1 46 oz. Can Tomato Juice

1 Tbsp. Onion Powder

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

4 Tbsps. Sesame Seeds

1/2 Cup Chopped Cashews

1 Can Chopped Olives (4 oz.)

1 tsp. Sea Salt

3/4 tsp. Sage

3/4 tsp. Savory

1/2 tsp. Sweet Basil

1 Can sliced Mushrooms (4 oz.)

Mix all ingredients and bake in a shallow covered casserole dish at 325 degrees for 2–3 hours or until liquid is absorbed. In the middle of the baking time, stir thoroughly, and sprinkle the cashews over the top.

Recipe – Marinated Baked Tofu

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1 16 oz. brick tofu

1 Tbsp. chicken-like seasoning

2 Tbsp. Bragg’s Liquid Aminos

Dice the tofu and place in a bowl with the seasoning. Toss to coat evenly. Place the seasoned tofu on an oiled cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly browned. This can be frozen; if frozen it becomes more the texture of meat.

Submitted by Blythe Hoppe and used by permission of Best Gourmet Recipes from the chefs of Five Loaves Deli & Bakery (Neva Brackett, Published December 1, 1999, by Jim Bracket).

Food – I Choose Not to Smoke

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Once the decision and commitment is made to quit smoking, a stop smoking plan needs to be initiated. Enlist the help of the Lord through Scripture reading, meditation, and prayer. Look for a good friend who can support you during this time. Set a date to stop and then do it. Whenever you feel the urge to smoke, invoke your power of choice by saying, “I choose not to smoke.” The urge to smoke only lasts for 30 seconds to 3 minutes and will disappear quickly if you focus your mind elsewhere. Regardless the temptation, never give up your power of choice. To persist in your decision not to smoke is to succeed.

It is important to create new habits to replace old ones. As a habit is repeated, little pathways are established in the brain that allows the activity to be done without thinking. By replacing the bad habit of smoking with a good habit, new pathways are created in the brain while the old pathways tend to fade. It is important during this time to avoid, if possible, being in settings where others are smoking.

The nervous system of a smoker becomes accustomed to functioning with nicotine. When smoking has ceased, the reduced nicotine disturbs the unhealthy balance of the nervous system, causing withdrawal symptoms. The most common symptoms are cravings, irritation, anger, weight-gain, problem with concentration, depression, headaches, restlessness, insomnia, and anxiety. These are no cause for alarm, because they will be reduced after 24–72 hours and tend to disappear after a few weeks.

Altering your diet will improve your game plan to stop smoking. It is important not to overeat and stress the brain with a full stomach. Eat slowly, pausing between bites, and chew your food well. Avoid foods high in fat and sugar, and all drinks that “go with” your smoking habit—coffee, tea and soda. Absolutely abstain from all alcoholic beverages. It is especially beneficial to include foods high in protein and complex carbohydrates in your diet.

Because toxins are often eliminated through the skin, excellent hygiene during this time is vital. A steam bath will help eliminate toxins. You can treat yourself to a mild, calming, non-caffeinated herbal tea. Adequate rest, a relaxing, warm shower or footbath before retiring is beneficial. It is also very important to get a healthy amount of sunshine, do deep breathing exercises in the fresh outdoor air along with daily exercise.

It is beneficial to know why you smoke and then have a strategy to deal with this. If it is due to nervousness, combat the nervousness with exercise. If you like to physically manipulate the cigarette, and then start a project that uses your hands. Most of all stay busy so your mind and body are active and not dwelling on the fact that you are not smoking.

By affirming that the Lord is your strength (Exodus 15:2; Isaiah 41:10), believing (Mark 9:23; Philippians 4:13), and beholding Christ (II Corinthians 3:18) you can be changed from a smoker to a non-smoker. Choose to start your journey today, or help someone else begin a smoke-free life.

Recipe – Vegetable Spaghetti Medley

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8 oz. pkg. whole wheat spaghetti

1 bag fresh vegetable medley or vegetables of choice

½ cup smooth peanut butter

2 Tbsp. Braggs Liquid Aminos

2 tsp. minced garlic

1 ½ tsp. chile-garlic sauce

1 tsp. minced fresh ginger

Slightly undercook the pasta until el dente; then add the vegetables and cook until the vegetables are just tender. Drain mixture, reserving 1 cup of liquid. Whisk peanut butter, Braggs, garlic, chile-garlic sauce and ginger in a large bowl. Add the reserved cooking liquid, pasta and vegetables. Toss well to coat. Serve warm or chilled.

Food – Obesity, A Growing Epidemic

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Problems ensue when temperance, one of the eight laws of heath, is not followed in every area of our life. One of the more obvious ways in which intemperance is displayed is obesity. The statistics related to obesity in the United States of America are shocking. There are 58 million people overweight, 40 million obese, and three million morbidly obese. Eight out of every ten Americans over 25 years of age are overweight. Metropolitan weight tables show the “ideal” weight for longevity. A Google search will find the BMI, body mass index. Weighing in excess of your ideal weight with a BMI greater than 25 can be an indication of future health problems and decreased longevity. Contributing factors to obesity may include medical problems, such as a low thyroid level, what we eat, how much we eat, when we eat, how we burn calories, and our heredity. Of these, only our heredity is something over which we have no influence.

Eighty percent of Type 2 diabetes is related to obesity, as is 70 percent of cardiovascular disease. Forty-two percent of diagnosed breast and colon cancer are among obese individuals; 30 percent of all gallbladder surgery is related to obesity, and 26 percent of obese people have high blood pressure.

Our children are not immune to this growing epidemic. According to pediatric endocrinologist, David S. Ludwig, early childhood obesity may produce changes in metabolism, hormones, or the brain that oppose weight loss. Adolescents who are obese have seven times the risk of being morbidly obese (BMI greater than 40) than adults. Obese teens are increasingly steered toward riskier measures to prevent future health problems, including various weight loss surgeries. The severely obese are now rising faster in the United States population than those who are moderately obese. It is therefore critical that childhood weight problems are addressed before poor lifestyle habits are deeply ingrained.

These health issues have an untold effect on the lives of the individuals, families, and society. This problem needs to be addressed not only as a health problem but as a spiritual problem, because we are told whether we eat, drink, or whatever we do, we are to glorify God (I Corinthians 10:31). The Bible has very specific counsel regarding moderation and diet. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” Philippians 4:5. “Put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.” Proverbs 23:2.

Please know that this problem goes much deeper than the social stigma associated with appearance and poor health. It is related to many problems in our world. “And yet with scarcely a thought or care, men and women of the present generation indulge intemperance by surfeiting and drunkenness and thereby leave, as a legacy for the next generation, disease, enfeebled intellects, and polluted morals.” The Adventist Home, 173.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1.

Recipe – Pomegranate Apple Grapefruit Juice

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2 grapefruits, peeled

3 red or green apples, organic, if possible

½ cup pomegranate arils

 

Juice the grapefruits, apples and pomegranate arils. Enjoy the delicious, refreshing, vitalizing boost of natural vitamins C and A.

Food – Tropical Tangy Grapefruit

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We can thank the Jamaicans for this relatively recent addition to the citrus family, with fruits spotted in the forests of the Caribbean on the island of Barbados in the middle 1700s. The grapefruit was known as the shaddock or shattuck until the 1800s. Its current name alludes to fruit grown in clusters as it resembles large clusters of yellow grapes on the tree, with premature fruit similar in shape to unripe green grapes.

The fruit we know today as grapefruit is most likely a natural cross between the pummelo and the sweet orange, now cultivated in many tropical, semi-tropical, and warm temperate regions worldwide for the sweet-sour fruit that often graces the breakfast, lunch, or dinner table.

Grapefruit come in white, pink and red varieties, colors that refer to the fleshy interior. Pink and red grapefruit contain over fifty times the carotenoid of white, which convert to healthy levels of vitamin A, an antioxidant required for maintaining healthy mucosa, skin, and peripheral vision. They are also high in lycopene, an antioxidant believed to help lower the risk of prostate cancer. White grapefruit contains the flavonoid naringin which is responsible for giving it its bitter taste and is essentially an antioxidant that seeks and destroys free radicals (cancer-promoting agents).

This luscious, nutritious fruit contains fairly high levels of potassium, important in controlling blood pressure, as well as the B vitamin inositol, helpful in metabolizing fat and cholesterol, reducing triglycerides, and critical for cell growth in the bone marrow, eye membranes, and intestines. Grapefruit is even more highly valued as a powerhouse of vitamin C–just a half provides nearly 70 percent of the recommended daily allowance. Vitamin C, a powerful natural antioxidant, aids the body in developing resistance against infectious agents by optimizing immune function. In addition, vitamin C is required for the maintenance of healthy connective tissue and early wound healing.

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory disorders find that eating grapefruit daily seems to alleviate these symptoms. This relief is thought to stem from plant chemicals that block prostaglandins, substances that cause inflammation.

Grapefruits do, however, contain a class of compounds known as furanocoumarin derivatives, that interfere with the action of various prescription medications, posing a potentially lethal health risk.

Consult your healthcare practitioner before consuming grapefruit or the juice if taking pharmaceutical drugs. People on medication for kidney disease must also be cautious when consuming grapefruit.

Soothe the inflammation of a sore throat and cough with the juice of a grapefruit combined with warm water and honey. Consume regularly until relief occurs.

Enjoy a sectioned grapefruit raw or briefly broiled. Nothing compares in flavor to a freshly squeezed glass of grapefruit juice. Frozen substitutes excellently when fresh is not available. Having a natural affinity for avocado, grapefruit can be combined in a salad with orange and tangerine sections arranged over baby greens or spinach topped with a creamy avocado dressing.

 

Recipe

Pomegranate Apple Grapefruit Juice
2 grapefruits, peeled ½ cup pomegranate arils
3 red or green apples, organic, if possible
Juice the grapefruits, apples, and pomegranate arils. Enjoy the delicious, refreshing, vitalizing boost of natural vitamins C and A.

 

Recipe – Elise’s Sesame Noodles

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1 pound whole-wheat spaghetti

½ cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos

3 Tbsp. olive oil

2 Tbsp. lime juice

1 ½ tsp. crushed red pepper (optional)

1 bunch scallions, sliced, divided

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided

4 cups snow peas, trimmed, sliced on the bias

1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced

½ cup toasted sesame seeds

Cook spaghetti until just tender, 9 to 11 minutes. Drain; rinse under cold water. Whisk Bragg’s, oil, lime juice, crushed red pepper, ¼ cup scallions and 2 Tbsp. cilantro. Add noodles, snow peas and bell pepper; toss to coat. Mix in sesame seeds. Garnish with the remaining scallions and cilantro and serve.

Food – Obesity – The Cure

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There are over 100 million people in the world today who are overweight, obese or morbidly obese. Eight out of every ten Americans over the age of 25 are overweight. Our children are not immune to this growing epidemic, making it critical that childhood weight problems be addressed before poor lifestyle habits are deeply ingrained.

With these facts in mind, what are we to do? It is apparent that this cannot be reversed through dieting and pills, because despite this, we have an obesity epidemic.

When a medical condition as a causative or contributing factor has been addressed and ruled out, it is clearly then an issue of lifestyle and of the heart. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jeremiah 13:23. To complicate matters even more is the issue that eating is necessary for life, and you can’t just stop eating. Therefore, we must realize that what, when, and how much we eat is the lifestyle that must change. Because of this, more than human wisdom and effort is needed.

We are God’s possession and not our own. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I Corinthians 6:19, 20.

We must accept that when we do anything to damage our body, we are damaging the temple He has given us. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” I Corinthians 3:16, 17.

God takes it seriously when we defile His temple. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1.

Obesity is a most malignant problem that goes beyond social stigma and even health. “The controlling power of appetite will prove the ruin of thousands, when, if they had conquered on this point, they would have had moral power to gain the victory over every other temptation of Satan. But those who are slaves to appetite will fail in perfecting Christian character. The continual transgression of man for six thousand years has brought sickness, pain, and death as its fruits. And as we near the close of time, Satan’s temptation to indulge appetite will be more powerful and more difficult to overcome.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 59.

“He [the Lord] desires us to act understandingly, as wise generals in an army, as men who have perfect control over themselves.” Temperance, 119.

Let us learn to lose weight by perfect control of appetite and by doing this, gain control of the whole man, preparing us for our Saviour’s soon return.

Recipe – Wild Rice Salad

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3 cups water

2 cups uncooked wild rice

2 cups finely chopped dried apricots

2 cups dried cherries

1 cup chopped walnuts

½ cup olive oil

1/3 cup lemon juice

2 Tbsp. maple syrup

1 ½ tsp. salt

 

In a large saucepan, bring water and rice to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45-50 minutes or until rice is tender. Drain if necessary. Transfer to a large bowl; cool completely. Meanwhile, place apricots in a small bowl; cover with boiling water and let stand for 5 minutes; drain. Stir the apricots, cherries, and walnuts into rice. In small bowl, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, and salt, Pour over rice mixture and mix well. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.