Topic No. 1 = Eating Healthy

For our first topic, we'll be starting off with a simple and easy topic:  Eating Healthy. 
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Topic No. 1 “Eating Healthy”

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”  1 Corinthians 6:19-20

And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.” Genesis 1:29

“He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” Psalm 104:14

Proverbs 23:21 "For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.”

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The Story of Daniel:

But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.

Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king."

But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, "Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.

"Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king's choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see."

So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king's choice food.

So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.

As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.

Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar.

The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's personal service.

As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm.

And Daniel continued until the first year of Cyrus the king. Daniel 1:15-21

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The story of Daniel is profound.  Daniel chose to forego the fatty and caloric-ridden foods of the King and instead eat a wholesome and healthy diet of vegetables and water.  The commander was nervous.  What if Daniel lost weight?  What if he became weak?  The King would not be pleased, and the commander might even be killed for this.  But the commander compromised.  He allowed Daniel this healthy diet for 10 days, after which time the commander would examine his body and determine if he should continue with these dietary restrictions.  After the 10 days were up, Daniel and his friends appeared healthier and superior to the others who were fed the King’s diet of wine and choice food.

            This week, I want to challenge you to eat more vegetables (and fruits) and less fatty and high-caloric foods.  Reach for the nuts and berries, fruits and whole grain foods, and put down the greasy chips.  Put away the sugary cereals and forego the fried food.  I want to challenge you to drink less coffee and less soda pop, less sugary juices and less wine, and drink more water. 

Some examples of healthier food choices (poor choice = healthier choice):

Cereal for the kids = whole grain bagel with almond butter and slices of strawberry on top

Frozen fish sticks and fries = Baked salmon filet with side of wild rice and corn on the cob

Takeout pizza and pop = Homemade rigatoni with fresh side salad

Fried chicken = Baked skinless chicken with mashed potatoes & gravy, side of green beans

Bag of Doritos = Fresh-popped popcorn on your stove top or Baked Lays potato chips

School lunch of hot dogs and French Fries = Brown bag lunch of pita wrapped ham sandwich with sliced tomatoes, cucumber and cheese slice

Can of Soup and Frozen Chicken Nuggets = All-natural and low-sodium soup with grilled cheese on wheat bread.

Drive-Thru at McD’s = Drive-Thru at Subway

Name-brand store-bought bread = Bakery bread

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Most often, any meal at the grocery store that’s pre-packaged and heat-n-eat is full of calories, contains way too much salt for your dietary needs, and is loaded with chemicals for preserving the food.  Plan a healthy weekly meal menu and shop according to your menu.  Take the extra 20 minutes each day and prepare healthy, homemade meals for yourself and your family.  Not only will this save you money, it will be a much healthier alternative to heat & eat meals or rushing to get fast food.  Another idea is for you to bake your weekly meals on the weekends, placing them in the freezer until needed.  Or, you can double up on your recipe cooking and place the extra meal in the freezer for another time.

American food companies are loading their food products with preservatives (chemicals), as well as high levels of sodium (salt), or incorporating high fructose corn syrup and other such bad-for-you products into their packages.  Before you place a grocery item in your shopping cart this week, check the label.  You’ll be surprised to find how many of your current staple grocery items contain products that you do not want in your body or the bodies of your family members.  Remember the saying, “You are what you eat,” and imagine every item listed on that label circulating through your blood stream and the bodies of your loved ones.  Also remember that your body is God’s temple.  We wouldn’t dare desecrate the Lord’s church…the same holds true with our physical bodies.

America ranks #7 worldwide for cancer rates versus all other countries in the world.  (http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/jan/24/worldwide-cancer-rates-uk-rate-drops )  Why?  One of the biggest reasons is the American diet: high in calories, rich in fat and refined foods.  The worst culprits?  Fatty meats, cakes, cookies, chips, margarine, and crackers.

Below is a chart for you to record your meals, evaluate your eating habits, and make some positive food choices for you and your family.   And below the daily foods chart is a set of questions for you to fill out and share with your “Keepers of the Home” partner.  Please make sure to fill out these questions and exchange with your partner.  Pray that your partner might make healthier food choices, and encourage her with some healthy recipes that you enjoy.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Breakfast:	Breakfast:	Breakfast:	Breakfast:	Breakfast:	Breakfast:	Breakfast:
Lunch:	Lunch:	Lunch:	Lunch:	Lunch:	Lunch:	Lunch:
Dinner:	Dinner:	Dinner:	Dinner:	Dinner:	Dinner:	Dinner:
Snacks:	Snacks:	Snacks:	Snacks:	Snacks:	Snacks:	Snacks:

Keepers of the Home – Topic No. 1 “Eating Healthier” Questions/Answers to Share with Your Partner:

1. Do you consider yourself a healthy eater?
2. Do you try to cook healthy and wholesome meals for your family?
3. What is your greatest challenge when eating healthy?
4. What is your greatest challenge when preparing healthy meals for you and your family?
5. What do you think is your greatest weakness in making poor food choices?
6. How can you improve your decision-making at the grocery store when buying healthier foods?
7. How do your current food choices and meal planning compare with those you were raised with?
8. Do you feel the Lord wants you to be a healthier person and/or family?
9. Name one way that you can change your eating habits for the positive.
10. What can your Keepers of the Home partner pray specifically for in relation to healthier eating habits for you and your family?
11. Share one healthy recipe with your partner this week.