NUTRITION

Eating often represents good times, friends, getting out of the house, or family get-togethers.

But should the content of our food be thought about at all—or is taste the only criteria?

The fact is, eating intelligently does matter. What we eat affects us a lot. Our lifestyle and diet contribute to sickness and disease, and also affect our mood, our ability to handle stress, and our general well-being. And taste is not always a good indicator of healthy food.

The meaning of diet goes beyond eating the ideal foods. Indulgence of appetite and gluttony appear to be prevalent across the planet. At one time, people ate their own simple foods, or their own complex diet, depending upon where they lived in the world.

In some countries, people eat snails, rattlesnakes, brains from monkeys, and mice, all considered to be delicacies. What a sad state of affairs we have come to. 

Here in North America, we now have a whole generation that has been brought up on junk-food meals consisting of hamburgers, colas, candy bars, and fried foods. This diet has not only formed bad nutritional habits, but it has taken away the liking for natural foods, which are so essential to growth and healthy organs. Consequently, we are experiencing new diseases that are even prevalent among the very young.

10 Tips for Healthful Eating

1. Eat a variety of fruits, grains, vegetables, legumes, seeds, and nuts.
2. Avoid animal protein.
3. Limit fat, sugar, and salt.
4. Eat a good breakfast, a moderate lunch, and a light supper.
5. Don't eat too late at night.
6. Don't eat between meals—allow five hours between meals.
7. Eat at regular times.
8. Watch your combination of foods—don't mix fruit and vegetables.
9. Avoid refined grains.
10. Choose foods that will build good blood.

EXERCISE

Man's employment, as seen in the original design is also worthy of notice. "And the Lord God took the man, and put him in the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." (Genesis 2:15).

Man was designed for activity in the open light of the sun and the free air of heaven. These conditions were important to the joys of his existence. The subsequent curse upon Adam was not in that he should labor, but that his labors should be attended with difficulties.

Exercise is essential for the body. Morning exercise, in walking in the free, invigorating air of heaven, or cultivating flowers, small fruits, and vegetables, is necessary to a healthful circulation of the blood. It is the surest safeguards against colds, coughs, congestion of the brain and lungs, inflammation of the liver, the kidneys, and the lungs, and a hundred other diseases.

Exercise aids the digestion. When we engage in severe study or violent physical exercise immediately after eating, it hinders the work of digestion; but a short walk after a meal, with the head erect and the shoulders back, is a great benefit.

WATER

Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

"Pure water to drink and fresh air to breathe invigorate the vital organs, purifies the blood, and helps nature in her task of overcoming the bad conditions of the system." (Ellen White). 

Many health problems would be eliminated, including bowel and bladder problems, anxiety attacks, and food tolerance reactions, burning in the stomach, headaches, colitis pain, hot flashes and many other problems IF enough water were drunk. 

Water flushes out the toxins that cause many health problems. 

If those who are afflicted would assist nature in her effort by the use of pure, soft water , much suffering would be prevented." (Ellen White). 

Drinking lots of pure water everyday will definitely help to prevent cancer.

SUNSHINE

This (sunshine) is one of nature's most healing agents." (Ellen White)

"If all would appreciate the sunshine, and expose every article of clothing to its drying, purifying rays, mildew and mold would be prevented....This is the only way rooms can be kept from impurities....Every room in our dwellings should be daily thrown open to the healthful rays of the sun and the purifying air should be invited in. This will be a preventive of disease." Health Reformer Articles. (Ellen White)

Many have become afraid of the sun, thinking they will get skin cancer from it. We believe that the sun does not cause skin cancer (unless you are constantly out in it, burning yourself), but rather, it is a purifier.....it brings to the surface (which is your skin) the cancers and toxins and germs that are already in your system - trying to flush them out of your body. The sunshine is one of God's 8 Natural Remedies!

TEMPERANCE

"In order to preserve health, temperance in all things is necessary - temperance in labor, temperance in eating and drinking." How to Live, pg. 57. (Ellen White). 

"True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely with everything hurtful, and to use judiciously that which is healthful." The Faith I Live By, pg. 231. (Ellen White). 

Many Christians believe that "Moderation" is the KEY. We strongly disagree. Think about it...is cocaine OK in moderation? Of course not! You see, True Temperance means to abstain completely from things that are bad for you and to use "moderately" those things that are good for you. 

About a 100 years ago, there was something called - The Temperance Pledge . At that time, people who signed it were promising to not drink or have anything to do with liquor. It would be good if we could have a Temperance Pledge today. But, it should include way more than liquor. Our bodies are the "temple" of God. We should not put anything into it that is not good for it. Let's think about that for a moment. What are some common things that people put into their bodies that are not good for them? Coffee? Cigarette smoke? Chocolate? The vast majority of the Artificial Sweeteners? And what about all the Prescription Drugs so many people are on? The side-effects of many of them are horrendous!

If you feel a bit overwhelmed, and maybe discouraged...thinking about the things that need changing in your lifestyle, don't give up! Email us, tell us what you know you need to do, and we'll give you some suggestions as to how to do it successfully! We can help! And most of all, God is just waiting to help you, if you will only let Him. Come join us and be a Health Reformer! Sign the Temperance Pledge! You'll feel so much better.
 

AIR

"Air is the free blessing of heaven, calculated to electrify the whole system." (Ellen White) 

"Thousands have died for want of pure water and pure air, who might have lived...These blessings they need in order to become well. If they would become enlightened, and let medicine alone and accustom themselves to outdoor exercise, and to air in their houses, summer and winter, and use soft water for drinking and bathing purposes, they would be comparatively well and happy instead of dragging out a miserable existence." How to Live, pg. 56. (Ellen White) 

Pure, clean air, is another one of God's 8 Natural Remedies.

REST

"I know that from the testimonies given me from time to time, for brain workers, that sleep is worth far more before than after midnight. Two hours good sleep before 12 o'clock is worth more than four hours after 12 o'clock...(Ellen White)

"Give yourself proper time to sleep. They who sleep give nature time to build up and repair the weary waste of the organs." (Ellen White).

"The number of hours of sleep generally needed varies with circumstances The average is seven to nine. In general one should sleep when sleepy and not try to sleep more. Growing children require more sleep than grown-ups." (Ellen White).

"Ones best sleep is with the stomach practically empty. It is true that food puts one to sleep at first, by diverting blood from the head; but it disturbs sleep later. Water, unless it induces bladder-action during the night, or even fruit, may be taken without injury before retiring. If one goes to bed with an empty stomach, he can often get along well with six or seen hours sleep, but if he goes to bed soon after a hearty meal, he usually needs from eight to ten hours sleep...It has already been pointed out that sleeping outdoors is more restful than sleeping indoors." How to Live, pg. 120-121. (Ellen White).

Many people, when they need rest , instead of going to sleep, drink coffee to stay awake. That is exactly the opposite of what they need. Coffee and ephedrine and energy pills cannot replace rest. Rest is also one of God's 8 Natural Remedies.

TRUST

"Gratitude, rejoicing, benevolence, trust in God 's love and care -- these are health's greatest safeguards." My Life Today, pg. 151. (Ellen White). 

"Not a few, in this Christian age and Christian nation, resort to mediums rather than trust to the power of the living God. The mother, watching by the sick-bed of her child, exclaims, "I can do no more. Is there no physician who has power to restore my child?" She is told of the wonderful cures performed by some clairvoyant or magnetic healer, and she trusts her dear one to his charge, placing it as verily in the hands of Satan as though he were standing by her side. And in how many instances is the future life of the child controlled by a Satanic power which it seems powerless to brea!" The Signs of the Times, March 24, 1887. (Ellen White).

Science has proven now, that people who trust in God , and have faith, come through illnesses and surgeries better than those who do not trust in God. If you would like to learn "HOW" to trust in God , there is a booklet called "Steps to Christ" you can have for free.