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A very interesting phenomenon happened this past Halloween. You know how you used to separate your candy into piles (candy bars, gum, suckers, etc.)? Well the morning after Halloween Jacob had separated his into two piles. All the candy in his orange pumpkin he wanted to keep and all the candy in the helmet he didn't want. The majority of the candy in the helmet was chocolate. He came into Stan and said, "I don't want this, I don't like chocolate". When I was pregnant with Jacob I didn't eat chocolate. I thought it was interesting how he is my only child who doesn't like chocolate. Of course this thrills me to no end to know Jacob won't ever have to worry about the chocolate addiction that so many people have. Brittney & her family & Angela have also given up chocolate since I have.
I used to be addicted to chocolate but it all changed 7 years ago after I had Joshua. My body was in pretty bad shape (I had gone through 3 miscarriages right before him) and I was desperate for something that would transform my physical body. My sister Jennifer and sister-in-law Eleni had great success with a program called Body for Life. I was determined to stick with it long enough to see results. I did find success in about 6 months I lost 50 lbs., went from a size 14 to a 4. I remember every free day I would feel sick after eating all the junk I would pour into my body. I had a profound experience that lead me to give up sugar & chocolate. I had never felt so good. Then after Brittney's wedding ( 3 years later)I started eating a little sugar again. I think because of all the stress I had gone through with just having a baby (Jacob) and planning a wedding in 5 weeks. I ever so slowly put on the weight and started feeling "wretched" (definition: unsatisfactory in ability or quality) again.
My hero & example when it comes to good health is my 80 year old dad. Ever since I was in junior high school he has been a healthy guy. He was raised on a farm and pretty much ate like a farmer; meat & potatoes. He started coming down with some health problems and being the bio-chemist & researcher that he is, started to investigate what to do about it. He had a disease called glaucoma which was supposedly not curable. He had to put drops in his eyes 5 times a day or he would go blind. Well my dad became a vegetarian and eliminated all dairy, sugar, meat. He ate like it says to in the Word of Wisdom. My dad was cured of his glaucoma, lost 30 pounds, doesn't even have to wear glasses and has never been the same. I remember my mom being frustrated because she didn't know what to cook anymore. A typical meal at dinner time would be a baked potato, green salad, and a vegetable. We have many more options now. My dad has gotten lots of flack for eating like he does but I am so glad he does. I have learned so much from my dad in this regard.
I also have an incredible friend, Shawna who inspires me to get back to healthy eating. We have gone on month long cleanses that have made such a difference. She is always encouraging me to get back to what I know. Well it is time to start living the Word of Wisdom at a higher level. I don't want to be considered "the weakest of all saints". I want to "find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge even hidden treasures"(D&C 89). I know that when I have practiced better health principles I have had a clearer mind, increased energy, and a lot less sicknesses to say the least. I have learned you can still be social, you don't have to eat everything that is in front of you, and when you're at someone's house or out to dinner don't make a big deal if it's not exactly how you would normally eat.
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It sure is hard to start something you're not used to doing but I know I will be better once I'm in the swing of it. I have great people around me to encourage me along the way. This is one of my dad's favorite things to do, to rototiller his enormous & beautiful garden. I have a little more to learn from him in this department. One of my favorite quotes is "food is to sustain life, not to take it"(my dad made me a recipe box with this quote on it). I love this cute, vibrant, full of life 80 year old man.
7 comments:
Great words, Mom. I think it's so important for people to know the reasons behind what you do and why you do it, instead of just that you do it. (hopefully that makes sense). You're an awesome example to me! I love you tons!
My dear Grandpa Vere lived to be almost 90 years old, had no health problems to speak of, lived a full and active life, and was the happiest and most content person I've ever known. He also ate meat and dairy almost every day of his life. :-)
It's important to be healthy, but it's what's in your heart and the way you live your life that is most important. Belinda, I have never seen you lacking in that department. You're a beautiful person to the core.
Size 4 or 24, chocolate eating or not, we are all beautiful children of our Heavenly Father who loves us dearly.
I love the pictures of your dad in his garden. I would love to get my hands on some of that produce right now! YUM!
I wish you the best of luck on your journey to feeling your best. I'm sure you will succeed. You always do!
What a great post! I think that there are things that all of us could do to improve in the area of health. I have learned a lot since having Gentry. My body has changed, and requires a more healthy lifestyle to be able to produce the food that she needs. I have struggled since day one with making enough milk for her, and that has been frustrating. It has also been a learning experience and refining process. I still have to suppliment, but she loves her Reliv, and I am glad for that. If you have any ideas on how to increase milk production, I'll gladly listen. I drink lots of water, take Reliv, Blessed Thistle and Brewers Yeast... any other ideas?
I love your testimony of good eating habits. I wish more people would think this way. I know that a lot of problems people experience physically can literally be reversed if they were willing to change the way they eat. Some people don't have to worry as much about it (like Jill's grandpa), but there are a lot of people that do have problems that can be fixed through better eating. However, most people are not willing to change. They'd rather go to the doctor and have him prescribe medication (that will in turn have side effects). It's really sad. Of course we're not perfect and we all can do a little better. I just think it's interesting, because when people think of making a meal, the main dish usually includes a form of meat. The side dishes are things like bread or salad, but in the word of wisdom we learn that that is NOT the way it should be. It seems that people are making meat their staple for life instead of plants and wheat. It's really about how obedient and determined we are willing to be and like you said when we receive this knowledge further knowledge will be given to us and there are many people that have had personal spiritual experiences about the foods that they should or should not eat. So thank you for sharing all of your thoughts.
Life is a journey, and we are continually learning and growing - thank you for sharing part of your journey with me!!!!! I appreciate your example and your desire to always be "bettering" yourself - you're an inspiration to us all!!!
Personal health education is a process, and such a different journey for each person - as we learn what the Word of Wisdom means to us individually - and it's different to each person!!
Keep up the great work, and thank you for your great example!!! Love ya - Shawna
That's so awesome you guys don't eat that junk! I wish I had that kind of self control, but unfortunately I was blessed with my dad's sweet tooth! Fortunately I've always loved to workout, and try and be as healthy as possible. What a blessing good health is!
Mom, I must say that you hold my attention a lot better than most things I read. Your writing is truly inspired and enjoyable. Keep it up. I love ya.
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