Endurance. A word that symbolizes strength and character, but what
does it mean? As defined by dictionary.com, endurance is the ability to
continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse
conditions. So many examples of endurance have been presented throughout
our lifetime, but have we really taken a step back and thought about
true endurance? Endurance is more than a runner finishing a marathon; it
is more than a growing tree bearing the weight of a harsh winter.
Endurance is equivalent to persistence. Endurance is that of a river
carving out a canyon. It never rests; it is always flowing at a steady
pace. Think about it, the endurance of that river molds and shapes that
rock, though as hard as it can be, over time, that river is able to mold
and shape that rock in the way the water flows. The water influences
that rock and defines what that rock will look like. The rock is strong,
but strength is defeated here by the endurance of the water.
So
what does endurance have to do with me? Why did I chose to focus on
endurance versus strength? How is this beneficial to my life? With every
mountain top there is a valley. With every valley there is usually a
source of water. That very source of water has shaped and molded the
base of that mountain and ultimately defines it. Something so small has
such an impact on something so big.
Spiritual
endurance has the same effect. The valley defines your mountain. People
refer to moments in your life as either mountain top experiences or
valleys. The mountain top experiences are those that involve the
exciting, flashy moments. You're on fire for the Lord, and it seems like
nothing can touch you. Nothing can go wrong. Valleys are quite the
opposite. Those are the low points; the times when you feel abandoned,
discouraged, and unable to get out of the rut. Those are the moments
that define you and your endurance. You can't have mountain tops without
valleys; they go together. The valleys are when the endurance of faith
comes into effect. It's so easy to love God, be on fire for him, and
praise his goodness when everything goes right. But what do you do when
the ball drops? How do you respond when hurt happens that seems more
than you can bear? What actions do you take when you think your dreams
have been snatched away? How deep is your endurance in the Lord during
this time? How will your endurance shape your valley?
Psalm
55:22 states that you must cast your cares on the Lord because he will
sustain you and never allow you to be moved. Christ is the only source
of your endurance. He is what gets you through those valleys because he
promises to never let you be moved. He is what keeps you going; he is
what defines you, if you allow him to take control of your life.
Valleys
are just as much part of life as the mountain tops. Discouragement,
disappointment, hurt, anger, and sadness will come but faith and
strength in the Lord is the only way to endure these hardships to reach
that mountain top again. How will you let your mountain be defined? Is
the Lord your source of endurance, or is your own strength the source?
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Battle of the brains
Migraine headaches are extremely debilitating. They can take an on-the-go, get-it-done type of person and imprison him to a life stuck in bed in a dark room unable to seek relief. What causes migraines? How can relief be attained? I have battled migraine headaches since I was 13 years old. From November 2012 to currently, I have been migraine free after a 10 year battle. I have tried everything. I used home remedies, sought doctors' advice, used multiple medications, and cut out certain foods. So is there relief? No worries, migraine-relief seekers, there is relief!
Migraine headaches can begin in two different ways, either a constriction of the blood vessels or a dilation of the blood vessels. Picture the composition of a wine bottle; it has a wide base which narrows to the opening. That is what is occurring in the blood vessels in the brain. The blood vessels are their normal size and something triggers the constriction; when this constriction occurs, the rushing blood cells are forced to squeeze through a small opening and those cells bang on the vessel wall. That sharp, throbbing pain that pulsates through your head is caused by the this constricting of the blood vessels. The other way a migraine can begin is when the blood vessels dilate. Although there is no banging of the cells along the vessel wall, pain is still very evident due to the blood vessels expanding abnormally. Symptoms of sharp, cutting pain, sensitivity to light and smells is extremely common.
So how do you find relief? Aren't we just supposed to pop a pill and it will fix everything? Let me ask, how's that working out for you? Pill popping for migraines is one of the worst ways to treat migraines. Yes, you read it correctly, taking medications, including over-the-counter, is one of the worst ways to treat a migraine. You might respond, "but my migraine goes away." Does it return? Do the symptoms seem to worsen so you have to increase the amount taken to get the same level of relief? Let me explain to you how your body responds when you pop a pill for a migraine. There is nothing natural about a Tylenol or any other pain medication. When you ingest this synthetic product, the stomach immediately begins to break this down, and those broken down elements are dispersed throughout the body. Pretty normal process, however; all your systems have to react to this new element that has arrived. Hormones are secreted from the adrenal system as well as other systems to regulate the break-down and distribution of these foreign elements. These actions are taking away from the body doing what it's supposed to do-to heal you. Now that the body has regulated all these foreign objects, you are able to start to feel some relief. Finally! Or did you just make things worse? Because you wanted such instant relief, you took that pain medication, so therefore your body became distracted from correcting the issue of the migraine from the source. Once that pain medication and all its elements have been used up, the systems spike again causing the migraine to return and usually with intensified symptoms.
I couldn't begin to tell you how many different types of medications I have been on for my migraines. The most recent medications I was on included the following: muscle relaxer, sleep aid, and anti-seizure. I was prescribed at least twice two different anti-depressant medications which I didn't pursue. The above three were prescribed a year ago this summer, but I have been on and off medications since I was 13 years old. I had to come off of those medications, prescribed to me over the summer, because it negatively responded to my body and I was unable to perform daily functions as well as affecting neurological and cognitive responses.
How else can you gain relief from a migraine headache? When the blood vessels are constricted, they need heat to expand. This can be accomplished by drinking hot water or taking a hot shower. I would, however, recommend with the hot shower that you don't stay in the shower too long because you may become light-headed and faint. When the blood vessels are dilated, you need cold to bring them back to normal size. You can either drink cold water or take a cool shower. If you can't tolerate a cool shower, place a cold, wet washcloth behind your neck. A bag of ice would be too much and may cause shock to your system and intensify the migraine. There are also pressure points on the back of your neck, the palms of your hands, and soles of your feet that help control and decrease the pain of migraine headaches. I would recommend a professional to administer these massages to ensure that you do not become nauseated and sick.
If you're like me, you've tried all of these and still nothing seems to relieve the pain, nausea, and sensitivity to lights, sounds, and smells. So what really works? Food. Food can be your worse enemy or best friend. So how do you know? Because every person is different and created by God, not every "prescription" is for every individual. However, there are a few foods that are migraine triggers and should be avoided by all if you battle with migraines. These foods include high fructose corn syrup (its composition is actually that of table sugar), table sugar, honey, milk and dairy products, caffeine (includes decaffeinated products), and even processed foods due to the increased amounts of sodium and sugars. Yes, it is quite a list, but I promise you, if you're serious about seeking relief from those chronic migraines, this is your starting place. I have been migraine free for 6 months and have not ingested these foods for 10 months. You need to get your body cleaned out, and starting with eliminating these foods, will help accomplish that.
In my situation, my chronic migraine headaches were a warning sign of other intense internal issues. I'm not stating that all migraine headaches are warning lights to other internal issues, but it is important to be aware of that possibility. Besides cutting out all the above foods, I also cut out whole grain products because of how much sugar is produced from those whole grains during the digesting process. Please remember that my diet is under supervision from my nutritionist, Karen Hurd; I do not advise drastic diet changes without consulting a registered nutritionist. Along with changing my diet, I also included legumes and lots of them. If you read the post, "A bean for your thoughts" you know I am believer of the bean. I will not repeat myself here but keep in my mind that beans help in so many areas. Beans especially aid in cleaning out your body and regulating your systems, this includes regulating your blood-sugar level which has a direct affect on migraine headaches.
Relief from chronic migraines is out there, but it's not a quick fix; it takes sacrifice, discipline, and lots of patience.
Migraine headaches can begin in two different ways, either a constriction of the blood vessels or a dilation of the blood vessels. Picture the composition of a wine bottle; it has a wide base which narrows to the opening. That is what is occurring in the blood vessels in the brain. The blood vessels are their normal size and something triggers the constriction; when this constriction occurs, the rushing blood cells are forced to squeeze through a small opening and those cells bang on the vessel wall. That sharp, throbbing pain that pulsates through your head is caused by the this constricting of the blood vessels. The other way a migraine can begin is when the blood vessels dilate. Although there is no banging of the cells along the vessel wall, pain is still very evident due to the blood vessels expanding abnormally. Symptoms of sharp, cutting pain, sensitivity to light and smells is extremely common.
So how do you find relief? Aren't we just supposed to pop a pill and it will fix everything? Let me ask, how's that working out for you? Pill popping for migraines is one of the worst ways to treat migraines. Yes, you read it correctly, taking medications, including over-the-counter, is one of the worst ways to treat a migraine. You might respond, "but my migraine goes away." Does it return? Do the symptoms seem to worsen so you have to increase the amount taken to get the same level of relief? Let me explain to you how your body responds when you pop a pill for a migraine. There is nothing natural about a Tylenol or any other pain medication. When you ingest this synthetic product, the stomach immediately begins to break this down, and those broken down elements are dispersed throughout the body. Pretty normal process, however; all your systems have to react to this new element that has arrived. Hormones are secreted from the adrenal system as well as other systems to regulate the break-down and distribution of these foreign elements. These actions are taking away from the body doing what it's supposed to do-to heal you. Now that the body has regulated all these foreign objects, you are able to start to feel some relief. Finally! Or did you just make things worse? Because you wanted such instant relief, you took that pain medication, so therefore your body became distracted from correcting the issue of the migraine from the source. Once that pain medication and all its elements have been used up, the systems spike again causing the migraine to return and usually with intensified symptoms.
I couldn't begin to tell you how many different types of medications I have been on for my migraines. The most recent medications I was on included the following: muscle relaxer, sleep aid, and anti-seizure. I was prescribed at least twice two different anti-depressant medications which I didn't pursue. The above three were prescribed a year ago this summer, but I have been on and off medications since I was 13 years old. I had to come off of those medications, prescribed to me over the summer, because it negatively responded to my body and I was unable to perform daily functions as well as affecting neurological and cognitive responses.
How else can you gain relief from a migraine headache? When the blood vessels are constricted, they need heat to expand. This can be accomplished by drinking hot water or taking a hot shower. I would, however, recommend with the hot shower that you don't stay in the shower too long because you may become light-headed and faint. When the blood vessels are dilated, you need cold to bring them back to normal size. You can either drink cold water or take a cool shower. If you can't tolerate a cool shower, place a cold, wet washcloth behind your neck. A bag of ice would be too much and may cause shock to your system and intensify the migraine. There are also pressure points on the back of your neck, the palms of your hands, and soles of your feet that help control and decrease the pain of migraine headaches. I would recommend a professional to administer these massages to ensure that you do not become nauseated and sick.
If you're like me, you've tried all of these and still nothing seems to relieve the pain, nausea, and sensitivity to lights, sounds, and smells. So what really works? Food. Food can be your worse enemy or best friend. So how do you know? Because every person is different and created by God, not every "prescription" is for every individual. However, there are a few foods that are migraine triggers and should be avoided by all if you battle with migraines. These foods include high fructose corn syrup (its composition is actually that of table sugar), table sugar, honey, milk and dairy products, caffeine (includes decaffeinated products), and even processed foods due to the increased amounts of sodium and sugars. Yes, it is quite a list, but I promise you, if you're serious about seeking relief from those chronic migraines, this is your starting place. I have been migraine free for 6 months and have not ingested these foods for 10 months. You need to get your body cleaned out, and starting with eliminating these foods, will help accomplish that.
In my situation, my chronic migraine headaches were a warning sign of other intense internal issues. I'm not stating that all migraine headaches are warning lights to other internal issues, but it is important to be aware of that possibility. Besides cutting out all the above foods, I also cut out whole grain products because of how much sugar is produced from those whole grains during the digesting process. Please remember that my diet is under supervision from my nutritionist, Karen Hurd; I do not advise drastic diet changes without consulting a registered nutritionist. Along with changing my diet, I also included legumes and lots of them. If you read the post, "A bean for your thoughts" you know I am believer of the bean. I will not repeat myself here but keep in my mind that beans help in so many areas. Beans especially aid in cleaning out your body and regulating your systems, this includes regulating your blood-sugar level which has a direct affect on migraine headaches.
Relief from chronic migraines is out there, but it's not a quick fix; it takes sacrifice, discipline, and lots of patience.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Depression: a three part concept
The body is more than just flesh and bones. It is comprised of complex emotions, a will to persevere, and a soul that longs for answers. A body is a three part concept that involves the physical, emotional, and spiritual. When your body is sick, you do everything you can to get relief. When your heart hurts, you seek reconciliation. And when you are overtaken in spiritual warfare you pursue counsel. Laid out, it appears that these are three separate entities; however, each one is intertwined with the other. Therefore, when one part hurts, they all hurt. So why would you just focus on the physical when your body is sick? Why would you ignore the physical and spiritual when the heart aches? Why would you dismiss the idea that a spiritual battle could penetrate and destroy emotional stability and physical strength?
Depression is very real and it's effects on the body are very real. No one seems to raise on eyebrow on that statement. The controversy arises when we define the source of depression. Some say it is completely a chemical hormonal imbalance. Others argue that it is caused from emotional stress, while others staunchly believe it is all from spiritual issues and lack of trust in God. Who is right? Answer this for me, if depression can be fixed by popping a pill every morning, then why are people on it for ten, twenty, or thirty plus years? Aren't medications supposed to fix the problem? A second question, if depression is simply caused by emotional stress and a diagnosis of regular counseling sessions are prescribed, then why does that individual continue to suffer with physical pain and evident physical limitations and impairments? Last question, if someone just needs to increase his trust in the Lord to cure his depression, who has the right to judge, mediate, and weigh another person's level of trust?
Just as the health of the body doesn't involve one source, neither is depression caused by one source. Depression involves the entire body-physical, emotional, and spiritual. So, how do we treat something that is comprised of three drastically different concepts? Does a pill fix spiritual? Does counseling fix the physical? Does increasing one's trust in the Lord fix emotional stress and abuse? When we ask those questions, the answer is pretty obvious; no, it's not a cure all or a fix it quick remedy. All three aspects of the body must be involved in the healing, maintaining, and preventing depression.
Let's start with the physical body. Your physical body is a miraculous machine; it runs more efficiently than any man-made machine, stores more information than a super computer, and each part communicates with each other instantaneously. Just like a well run machine must be maintained, so the body must be maintained. How you care for your body will determine the efficiency of its output. The body is fueled by food-the right kinds of food. You wouldn't put regular gasoline in a diesel run truck, so why would you put the wrong food in your body? I'm talking about all those man-made processed foods, the Pizza Rolls, Hot Pockets, Lean Cuisine, Kashi, and the list could continue. Even the health conscious frozen meals and snacks are loaded with sodium for preservation. And if the brand advertises low fat, I guarantee you it will be loaded with sugar to compensate taste for the low fat content. All these products are enhanced, fortified, and modified. There is nothing natural about these foods. Many foods have had increased hormones added to increase the body mass of the animal so that retailers can sell more. When you ingest these foods it messes with the natural composition of your body which leads to chemical imbalances, such as increased or decreased hormone production, insulin, and even white and red blood cell production (to name a few). When your body is not working right it will lead to system problems which will lead to signs of depression. I guarantee you this.
Because the body is ingesting the wrong types of foods, systems are suffering, production is inadequate, and mutations have a high probability of occurring (source of cancer cells). The chemical imbalances eventually lead to emotional instability. You may not be able to see any physical signs of depression, but emotionally you can't handle the everyday tasks; getting the milk out of the fridge becomes more and more difficult, going grocery shopping seems like a daunting task, and exhaustion overtakes you in an instant. You don't understand why such medial tasks seem so overwhelming; frustration begins to build, and your emotional stability begins to become a house of cards. Not only does emotional instability affect you but also everyone around you. From my personal experience, I struggled with comprehending what people were telling me. I could sit there and listen to someone tell me a one sentence statement, a joke, a story, or his entire day, get up from that conversation and have no idea what we just talked about. When the inside isn't working right, it will be revealed through your cognitive responses.
Spiritual is a special concept because not everyone agrees on the same philosophy. I believe that God is the creator of this world and His Son, Jesus Christ, died to save every person's wicked soul so we can live eternally with Him after we die; while those who reject His love will live eternally in hell. This takes faith, faith is the substance of things hoped for, not the evidence of things seen. When we are not eating correctly, our emotional stability is compromised; when our emotional stability is compromised, our mental defenses become weakened. Why is this such a cause for concern? When our body isn't healthy, our mind won't be healthy, and Satan will have opportunities to discourage us through circumstances. You have already helped him out with that process because you have put yourself into a state of emotional instability due to lack of nutrient dense foods. When Satan gets a foothold, he can wiggle his way into your mind and weaken you even more. Becoming spiritually sick is extremely dangerous and Satan can use discouragement, overwhelming situations, and even the lack of knowledge of depression and its treatments against you.
Am I stating that depression is cause for all spiritual warfare and discouragement? Absolutely not. Am I saying that all emotional instability leads to depression? No. Does all depression cause physical ailments and limitations. No, it does not. But depression is very real and its treatment is possible-naturally. The body isn't just chemicals and hormones, neither is it emotional and spiritual; but a concept of all three, working together to perform and maintain a healthy body.
Depression is very real and it's effects on the body are very real. No one seems to raise on eyebrow on that statement. The controversy arises when we define the source of depression. Some say it is completely a chemical hormonal imbalance. Others argue that it is caused from emotional stress, while others staunchly believe it is all from spiritual issues and lack of trust in God. Who is right? Answer this for me, if depression can be fixed by popping a pill every morning, then why are people on it for ten, twenty, or thirty plus years? Aren't medications supposed to fix the problem? A second question, if depression is simply caused by emotional stress and a diagnosis of regular counseling sessions are prescribed, then why does that individual continue to suffer with physical pain and evident physical limitations and impairments? Last question, if someone just needs to increase his trust in the Lord to cure his depression, who has the right to judge, mediate, and weigh another person's level of trust?
Just as the health of the body doesn't involve one source, neither is depression caused by one source. Depression involves the entire body-physical, emotional, and spiritual. So, how do we treat something that is comprised of three drastically different concepts? Does a pill fix spiritual? Does counseling fix the physical? Does increasing one's trust in the Lord fix emotional stress and abuse? When we ask those questions, the answer is pretty obvious; no, it's not a cure all or a fix it quick remedy. All three aspects of the body must be involved in the healing, maintaining, and preventing depression.
Let's start with the physical body. Your physical body is a miraculous machine; it runs more efficiently than any man-made machine, stores more information than a super computer, and each part communicates with each other instantaneously. Just like a well run machine must be maintained, so the body must be maintained. How you care for your body will determine the efficiency of its output. The body is fueled by food-the right kinds of food. You wouldn't put regular gasoline in a diesel run truck, so why would you put the wrong food in your body? I'm talking about all those man-made processed foods, the Pizza Rolls, Hot Pockets, Lean Cuisine, Kashi, and the list could continue. Even the health conscious frozen meals and snacks are loaded with sodium for preservation. And if the brand advertises low fat, I guarantee you it will be loaded with sugar to compensate taste for the low fat content. All these products are enhanced, fortified, and modified. There is nothing natural about these foods. Many foods have had increased hormones added to increase the body mass of the animal so that retailers can sell more. When you ingest these foods it messes with the natural composition of your body which leads to chemical imbalances, such as increased or decreased hormone production, insulin, and even white and red blood cell production (to name a few). When your body is not working right it will lead to system problems which will lead to signs of depression. I guarantee you this.
Because the body is ingesting the wrong types of foods, systems are suffering, production is inadequate, and mutations have a high probability of occurring (source of cancer cells). The chemical imbalances eventually lead to emotional instability. You may not be able to see any physical signs of depression, but emotionally you can't handle the everyday tasks; getting the milk out of the fridge becomes more and more difficult, going grocery shopping seems like a daunting task, and exhaustion overtakes you in an instant. You don't understand why such medial tasks seem so overwhelming; frustration begins to build, and your emotional stability begins to become a house of cards. Not only does emotional instability affect you but also everyone around you. From my personal experience, I struggled with comprehending what people were telling me. I could sit there and listen to someone tell me a one sentence statement, a joke, a story, or his entire day, get up from that conversation and have no idea what we just talked about. When the inside isn't working right, it will be revealed through your cognitive responses.
Spiritual is a special concept because not everyone agrees on the same philosophy. I believe that God is the creator of this world and His Son, Jesus Christ, died to save every person's wicked soul so we can live eternally with Him after we die; while those who reject His love will live eternally in hell. This takes faith, faith is the substance of things hoped for, not the evidence of things seen. When we are not eating correctly, our emotional stability is compromised; when our emotional stability is compromised, our mental defenses become weakened. Why is this such a cause for concern? When our body isn't healthy, our mind won't be healthy, and Satan will have opportunities to discourage us through circumstances. You have already helped him out with that process because you have put yourself into a state of emotional instability due to lack of nutrient dense foods. When Satan gets a foothold, he can wiggle his way into your mind and weaken you even more. Becoming spiritually sick is extremely dangerous and Satan can use discouragement, overwhelming situations, and even the lack of knowledge of depression and its treatments against you.
Am I stating that depression is cause for all spiritual warfare and discouragement? Absolutely not. Am I saying that all emotional instability leads to depression? No. Does all depression cause physical ailments and limitations. No, it does not. But depression is very real and its treatment is possible-naturally. The body isn't just chemicals and hormones, neither is it emotional and spiritual; but a concept of all three, working together to perform and maintain a healthy body.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
A healthy heart
What constitutes a healthy heart? Is it our exercise regiment, or the foods we consume? Both of those are equally important to a healthy heart, but what about the emotional and spiritual health of your heart? What consumes your thoughts, drives your actions, and fuels your passions? What worries you, scares you, and defeats you? Is there any escape from these feelings? Yes. I promise you there is.
In the gospel of John chapter fourteen verse twenty-seven, Christ gives a promise, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. God gives ultimate peace and joy and promises in Philippians chapter four verse seven that God's peace passes all understanding and will keep or guard your heart.
So how does this make for a healthy heart? I am a baby Christian, and relearning to live life through Christ and not in my own strength is the most difficult challenge I have ever encountered. The first step towards a healthy heart is becoming a child of God. The second step is a daily dying to self. Galations chapter two verse twenty states, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. It's no longer my life when I become a child of God, but I still have the old sin nature living inside of me waring with the Spirit. How can your heart be at peace when there is an internal war taking place? It can't.
The concept of dying to self daily is presented on a regular basis, but if you really sit down and think about it how can we successfully take on the full day at one time? That's equivalent, in my mind, to consuming a 12 oz. steak in one bite! Recently I was presented with the concept of living each minute through the power of God. Instead of focusing on trying to live the whole day through Christ, focus the next 60 seconds on dying to your selfish nature, worries, fears, struggles, and even your passions and plans. God's ways are not our ways, neither his thoughts our thoughts-they're much better.
I have personally seen this in my life. I was really struggling with a particular trial in my life a few months back and the only thing I could rely on was God. He was all I had. I knew He was there for me and that I was finally His child, but I was still fighting Him on things that I wanted and plans I had made. It wasn't until the idea of submitting the things I wanted and my plans to Him that I experienced true and lasting peace. Submission is equal to that of dying to self. Do I still struggle? Absolutely. But when I step back, take a look at my situation, and analyze it, I can objectively ask myself the question, am I submitting to God or living my life through myself?
How does all this lead to a healthy heart? A peaceful heart is a peaceful life. A peaceful life leads to a life filled in the joy of the Lord. Will there be ups and downs? Always. Does God promise He will lead us through it? Definitely. Psalm chapter eighteen verse two states that the Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
In the gospel of John chapter fourteen verse twenty-seven, Christ gives a promise, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. God gives ultimate peace and joy and promises in Philippians chapter four verse seven that God's peace passes all understanding and will keep or guard your heart.
So how does this make for a healthy heart? I am a baby Christian, and relearning to live life through Christ and not in my own strength is the most difficult challenge I have ever encountered. The first step towards a healthy heart is becoming a child of God. The second step is a daily dying to self. Galations chapter two verse twenty states, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. It's no longer my life when I become a child of God, but I still have the old sin nature living inside of me waring with the Spirit. How can your heart be at peace when there is an internal war taking place? It can't.
The concept of dying to self daily is presented on a regular basis, but if you really sit down and think about it how can we successfully take on the full day at one time? That's equivalent, in my mind, to consuming a 12 oz. steak in one bite! Recently I was presented with the concept of living each minute through the power of God. Instead of focusing on trying to live the whole day through Christ, focus the next 60 seconds on dying to your selfish nature, worries, fears, struggles, and even your passions and plans. God's ways are not our ways, neither his thoughts our thoughts-they're much better.
I have personally seen this in my life. I was really struggling with a particular trial in my life a few months back and the only thing I could rely on was God. He was all I had. I knew He was there for me and that I was finally His child, but I was still fighting Him on things that I wanted and plans I had made. It wasn't until the idea of submitting the things I wanted and my plans to Him that I experienced true and lasting peace. Submission is equal to that of dying to self. Do I still struggle? Absolutely. But when I step back, take a look at my situation, and analyze it, I can objectively ask myself the question, am I submitting to God or living my life through myself?
How does all this lead to a healthy heart? A peaceful heart is a peaceful life. A peaceful life leads to a life filled in the joy of the Lord. Will there be ups and downs? Always. Does God promise He will lead us through it? Definitely. Psalm chapter eighteen verse two states that the Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
A bean for your thoughts
Before I begin this post, I want to first disclose that a lot of what I will be focusing on is the body and its functions and with the body comes things that people may become uncomfortable, squeamish, or feel is inappropriate. My goal is to present these concepts medically, objectively, and tactfully. I do not want to make anyone uncomfortable or offend anyone with the use of this language.
What's the first thought that comes to your mind when you think of legumes? Some may say backyard BBQs, the Bush's baked beans commercials, or a summertime memory. But I think I can safely say that the main thing that comes to mind is what comes from consuming legumes-bloat and gas. Why does this occur? How can it be prevented? First we must understand the job of the bean and its composition. Beans are a vegetable that are classified as soluble as well as insoluble fiber. What is soluble fiber? Soluble fiber is the fiber acts as a sponge and is absorbed whereas insoluble fiber acts as a broom and sweeps things through the intestines and out of the body. Besides being a major source of soluble and insoluble fiber, beans share a special relationship with bile.
What is bile? Bile is produced by the liver and acts as a cleaning agent for the liver. Because the liver is what filters the blood, all the junk that you have consumed is cleaned out here and the bile picks it all up. So what happens to the bile when it's picked up all that it can? It has to go somewhere, right? It's supposed to. Remember what a main characteristic is of beans? Insoluble fiber. Why is this so important? Because insoluble fiber can't cross the intestinal barrier. So, with this mind, the insoluble fiber of the beans grabs onto bile and becomes inseparable. Once that bond is made, the insoluble fiber is able to travel out with the bile and excreted through fecal matter.
So recap really quickly! Eat beans because it is a HUGE source of insoluble and soluble fiber so it can bind to bile that is the clean-up man for the liver. Bile and beans are bonded together which allows trash and excess waste (aided by fiber) to glide on out of the body! Pretty cool!
So you might be asking what if I don't eat beans, what happens then? Well, the bile never gets excreted from the body, and the body just keeps recycling it. Let's visualize it this way. Every kitchen has its messes and every mess requires a dishrag and cleaning agent of some sorts. It's like cleaning your dirty dishes over and over with the same rag and dishwater that never gets itself cleaned. What a mess! How clean are your dishes really going to get? Exactly. They aren't. Neither is your body getting cleaned if your cleaning agent can't get itself clean!
You may still be wondering why eating beans causes bloating and gas. Bloating and gas are responses to all that junk getting cleaned out from your system. Before that bile wasn't getting out, it was just being recycled but when the bile and bean become bonded it causes fermentation because that bile is filled with toxins. And that is was causes the bloating and gas. The key to getting rid of the bloating and gas is to increase your bean intake. The cleaner your bile, the less fermentation, and fewer occurrences of bloating and gas. I speak from experience, and trust me, it works. Beans also aid in many more bodily functions, but we will save that for another post. My main focus here is to present the characteristics and functions of the bean and how important it is for a healthy body.
If you would like to gain more information regarding beans and their beneficial characteristics, please visit KarenHurd.com. Click "Health Topics". Select "Specific Health Concerns". Click "Why Beans Don't Cause Gas."
What's the first thought that comes to your mind when you think of legumes? Some may say backyard BBQs, the Bush's baked beans commercials, or a summertime memory. But I think I can safely say that the main thing that comes to mind is what comes from consuming legumes-bloat and gas. Why does this occur? How can it be prevented? First we must understand the job of the bean and its composition. Beans are a vegetable that are classified as soluble as well as insoluble fiber. What is soluble fiber? Soluble fiber is the fiber acts as a sponge and is absorbed whereas insoluble fiber acts as a broom and sweeps things through the intestines and out of the body. Besides being a major source of soluble and insoluble fiber, beans share a special relationship with bile.
What is bile? Bile is produced by the liver and acts as a cleaning agent for the liver. Because the liver is what filters the blood, all the junk that you have consumed is cleaned out here and the bile picks it all up. So what happens to the bile when it's picked up all that it can? It has to go somewhere, right? It's supposed to. Remember what a main characteristic is of beans? Insoluble fiber. Why is this so important? Because insoluble fiber can't cross the intestinal barrier. So, with this mind, the insoluble fiber of the beans grabs onto bile and becomes inseparable. Once that bond is made, the insoluble fiber is able to travel out with the bile and excreted through fecal matter.
So recap really quickly! Eat beans because it is a HUGE source of insoluble and soluble fiber so it can bind to bile that is the clean-up man for the liver. Bile and beans are bonded together which allows trash and excess waste (aided by fiber) to glide on out of the body! Pretty cool!
So you might be asking what if I don't eat beans, what happens then? Well, the bile never gets excreted from the body, and the body just keeps recycling it. Let's visualize it this way. Every kitchen has its messes and every mess requires a dishrag and cleaning agent of some sorts. It's like cleaning your dirty dishes over and over with the same rag and dishwater that never gets itself cleaned. What a mess! How clean are your dishes really going to get? Exactly. They aren't. Neither is your body getting cleaned if your cleaning agent can't get itself clean!
You may still be wondering why eating beans causes bloating and gas. Bloating and gas are responses to all that junk getting cleaned out from your system. Before that bile wasn't getting out, it was just being recycled but when the bile and bean become bonded it causes fermentation because that bile is filled with toxins. And that is was causes the bloating and gas. The key to getting rid of the bloating and gas is to increase your bean intake. The cleaner your bile, the less fermentation, and fewer occurrences of bloating and gas. I speak from experience, and trust me, it works. Beans also aid in many more bodily functions, but we will save that for another post. My main focus here is to present the characteristics and functions of the bean and how important it is for a healthy body.
If you would like to gain more information regarding beans and their beneficial characteristics, please visit KarenHurd.com. Click "Health Topics". Select "Specific Health Concerns". Click "Why Beans Don't Cause Gas."
Something to chew on
What has consumed you so much you have become in bondage to it? What drives your passions, desires, likes, dislikes, and choices? Is it money, power, the feeling of achievement, yearning to be noticed, feeling as though no one cares? Why do you do what you do?
It's a legitimate question. Only you can answer that, or can you? Is it possible you have been blinded by whatever that you don't even know why you are doing what you are doing? I look at my life and see two distinct answers to my passion. Five months ago my passion was driven by the desire of achievement to have the professional and educational world to tell me "Good job." Now I can say my passion is fueled by one thing and that is to hear my God say, "Good job, my faithful child." The difference is as plain as purple and yellow. One passion is driven by man's approval while the other is driven by God-the maker of this world. Matthew chapter six verses nineteen through twenty-one discusses that the work that is done here on earth is corruptible. It will be destroyed just as things turn to dust, so will our achievements that look so successful to man's eyes. So why do we pursue so badly to gain the approval of man? What has warped our thinking so much that we so easily forget what God thinks, expects, and desires and skip right to man? Matthew continues in verse twenty-four to say that no one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Ultimately we have a choice to make. You have to make a choice. Will you choose an eternal God or a temporal man?
It's a legitimate question. Only you can answer that, or can you? Is it possible you have been blinded by whatever that you don't even know why you are doing what you are doing? I look at my life and see two distinct answers to my passion. Five months ago my passion was driven by the desire of achievement to have the professional and educational world to tell me "Good job." Now I can say my passion is fueled by one thing and that is to hear my God say, "Good job, my faithful child." The difference is as plain as purple and yellow. One passion is driven by man's approval while the other is driven by God-the maker of this world. Matthew chapter six verses nineteen through twenty-one discusses that the work that is done here on earth is corruptible. It will be destroyed just as things turn to dust, so will our achievements that look so successful to man's eyes. So why do we pursue so badly to gain the approval of man? What has warped our thinking so much that we so easily forget what God thinks, expects, and desires and skip right to man? Matthew continues in verse twenty-four to say that no one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Ultimately we have a choice to make. You have to make a choice. Will you choose an eternal God or a temporal man?
Why nutrition is so important to me
Today, people take nutrition for granted; they go for quick, easy, and convenient and if it doesn't fall under those three criteria then they don't eat it. Highways are lined with easy and convenient foods. Grocery stores are stocked with packaged food that requires five minutes to cook. Schools and campuses utilize vending machines for quick pick-me-ups in the afternoon. Convenience is great. Quick and easy are also great but at what expense? At what point do convenience and quick and easy meals tromp on the health and well-being of your body and your family's bodies?
I never gave nutrition a thought until the past few years. Throughout my childhood I had struggled with health issues but none that really cause major concerns. I was a typical kid when it came to food, the more unhealthy it was the more I enjoyed it. I consumed pizza rolls, hot pockets, and Little Debbie snacks throughout junior high and high school. Not until the summer before my senior year in high school did major concerns for my health begin to arise. It was a breaking point-a moment where I knew something wasn't right. I was in Chicago with friends and we had stopped to eat at a restaurant. I walked to the restroom-two turns and I was there. When I began to make my way back to the table from the restroom, I got lost, became confused, and a friend finally came and found me. I got lost in a restaurant. I only had to make two turns to make it to my destination and I was unable to do that. So began the journey on getting answers for what was happening in my body. My symptoms that I dealt with on a daily basis include the following: numbness and intense pain (level 7-8) of toes, legs, arms, and pinky fingers, confusion, forgetfulness (my own phone number), migraine headaches (levels 9-10), extreme weight loss and gain, increased and decreased appetite, inability to absorb proper nutrients, increased exhaustion, inability to sleep, and negative responses to foods.
Year 1:
1. Saw family doctor who ordered blood work and began testing for all major diseases
2. Thought to have beginning signs for diabetes and went on a diabetic diet
3. Symptoms persisted and saw every doctor in the Rockford area that specialized in neurology
4. Expanded search for neurological doctors in the Chicago area
5. Had 2 MRIs and an EKG as well as other brain and nervous system tests
No progress was made and symptoms intensified
Year 2:
1. Expanded search and traveled to Huntsville, Alabama and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore
2. Neurologists were baffled at nervous system being healthy but health concerns persisting
3. Gastroenterologist hypothesized a gluten allergy and possible Celiac Disease
4. Endoscopy and biopsy confirmed no Celiac Disease
5. Visited a doctor in the Chicago area that confirmed a gluten intolerance
Year 3:
1. Continued to eat a gluten free diet due to gluten intolerance
2. Symptoms still lingered but not as intense
3. Maintained regular doctor appointments and tests
Year 4:
1. Symptoms came back full force
2. Doctors began to investigate and experiment using depression medication to suppress migraines and pain
3. Symptoms increased and worsened
Year 5:
1. Unable to perform every day functions
2. Confined to my bed for most of the time because the pain from my migraines and body was too intense
3. Began cutting out more food groups while increasing others to try to find relief-no success
4. Underwent another MRI
5. Saw a new migraine specialist in Wisconsin
6. Placed on several medications that responded negatively to my system
7. Referred to a nutritionist, Karen Hurd
8. Diet constructed to rebuild adrenaline and endocrine system
My success with Karen Hurd was phenomenal! She completely focuses on nutrition, because what goes into the body will have an effect on the overall health of your body. The diet that I am currently on, and will be for most of my life is specifically designed for me with my body type and particular symptoms. I am not stating that this eating lifestyle is for everyone, nor do I encourage everyone to try it. Every person is different and with that comes different eating lifestyles. In July of 2012, Karen Hurd put me on a strict diet that consisted of consuming unprocessed meats low in fat, non-starchy vegetables, legumes, nuts, and water. That is all that I consume, and I have been symptom free since November of 2012. I eat 4 servings of meats and legumes, 3 servings of vegetables, 1/2 - 1 cup of nuts, and about a gallon of water per day. Not only am I dealing with an intolerance to gluten but also maintenance of my adrenal glands and endocrine system. Many of my health problems stem from my endocrine system and incorrect processing during puberty. The adrenaline issues stem from problems with the endocrine system as well as abuse through a high-stress level lifestyle and foods.
Nutrition works, not because I've read about it and studied it but because I have personally see my life transformed by it. To go from being stuck in bed all day to be able to get up and get back into school and on with what the Lord has for my life is truly remarkable. Why did I go into such great detail in regards to the hardships I have faced with my health? Because I know that there is someone else out there struggling too. I only desire to help those who are hurting. Do I have all the answers? Most definitely not. I just want to be able to take my experiences and current education in nutrition to better help those who so desperately want help and are not getting it from their doctors.
I never gave nutrition a thought until the past few years. Throughout my childhood I had struggled with health issues but none that really cause major concerns. I was a typical kid when it came to food, the more unhealthy it was the more I enjoyed it. I consumed pizza rolls, hot pockets, and Little Debbie snacks throughout junior high and high school. Not until the summer before my senior year in high school did major concerns for my health begin to arise. It was a breaking point-a moment where I knew something wasn't right. I was in Chicago with friends and we had stopped to eat at a restaurant. I walked to the restroom-two turns and I was there. When I began to make my way back to the table from the restroom, I got lost, became confused, and a friend finally came and found me. I got lost in a restaurant. I only had to make two turns to make it to my destination and I was unable to do that. So began the journey on getting answers for what was happening in my body. My symptoms that I dealt with on a daily basis include the following: numbness and intense pain (level 7-8) of toes, legs, arms, and pinky fingers, confusion, forgetfulness (my own phone number), migraine headaches (levels 9-10), extreme weight loss and gain, increased and decreased appetite, inability to absorb proper nutrients, increased exhaustion, inability to sleep, and negative responses to foods.
Year 1:
1. Saw family doctor who ordered blood work and began testing for all major diseases
2. Thought to have beginning signs for diabetes and went on a diabetic diet
3. Symptoms persisted and saw every doctor in the Rockford area that specialized in neurology
4. Expanded search for neurological doctors in the Chicago area
5. Had 2 MRIs and an EKG as well as other brain and nervous system tests
No progress was made and symptoms intensified
Year 2:
1. Expanded search and traveled to Huntsville, Alabama and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore
2. Neurologists were baffled at nervous system being healthy but health concerns persisting
3. Gastroenterologist hypothesized a gluten allergy and possible Celiac Disease
4. Endoscopy and biopsy confirmed no Celiac Disease
5. Visited a doctor in the Chicago area that confirmed a gluten intolerance
Year 3:
1. Continued to eat a gluten free diet due to gluten intolerance
2. Symptoms still lingered but not as intense
3. Maintained regular doctor appointments and tests
Year 4:
1. Symptoms came back full force
2. Doctors began to investigate and experiment using depression medication to suppress migraines and pain
3. Symptoms increased and worsened
Year 5:
1. Unable to perform every day functions
2. Confined to my bed for most of the time because the pain from my migraines and body was too intense
3. Began cutting out more food groups while increasing others to try to find relief-no success
4. Underwent another MRI
5. Saw a new migraine specialist in Wisconsin
6. Placed on several medications that responded negatively to my system
7. Referred to a nutritionist, Karen Hurd
8. Diet constructed to rebuild adrenaline and endocrine system
My success with Karen Hurd was phenomenal! She completely focuses on nutrition, because what goes into the body will have an effect on the overall health of your body. The diet that I am currently on, and will be for most of my life is specifically designed for me with my body type and particular symptoms. I am not stating that this eating lifestyle is for everyone, nor do I encourage everyone to try it. Every person is different and with that comes different eating lifestyles. In July of 2012, Karen Hurd put me on a strict diet that consisted of consuming unprocessed meats low in fat, non-starchy vegetables, legumes, nuts, and water. That is all that I consume, and I have been symptom free since November of 2012. I eat 4 servings of meats and legumes, 3 servings of vegetables, 1/2 - 1 cup of nuts, and about a gallon of water per day. Not only am I dealing with an intolerance to gluten but also maintenance of my adrenal glands and endocrine system. Many of my health problems stem from my endocrine system and incorrect processing during puberty. The adrenaline issues stem from problems with the endocrine system as well as abuse through a high-stress level lifestyle and foods.
Nutrition works, not because I've read about it and studied it but because I have personally see my life transformed by it. To go from being stuck in bed all day to be able to get up and get back into school and on with what the Lord has for my life is truly remarkable. Why did I go into such great detail in regards to the hardships I have faced with my health? Because I know that there is someone else out there struggling too. I only desire to help those who are hurting. Do I have all the answers? Most definitely not. I just want to be able to take my experiences and current education in nutrition to better help those who so desperately want help and are not getting it from their doctors.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Just a little introduction
Welcome to Nutritional Tid-Bits and Spiritual Bites!
My goal with this blog is to just be transparent with people regarding the arising issues concerning nutrition in our nation. I aim to bring an objective view with "how to" steps to improve your nutritional intake and overall health. Please keep in mind that not all "how to" steps will work for everyone, and I highly encourage anyone that is struggling with health problems to consult a nutritionist. I have personally struggled with health problems for years and was unable to receive any answers from doctors. It wasn't until I was introduced to Karen Hurd (karenhurd.com) that I was able to see extreme improvements in my many health problems. Much of what I will post and discuss is stemmed from her experience, education, and philosophy of nutrition as well as my own experiences and education.
Not only do I want to focus on the nutritional aspect of the body, but also the spiritual aspect. The body is made up of three parts: physical, emotional, and spiritual. My goal is to integrate these three in my discussions because when one part is suffering all is suffering. I wish to address issues regarding depression, high stress-level living, dealing with conflict, perfectionism, as well as several other highly controversial issues and how food can affect the proper functioning of your body which affects the emotional stability of your body which plays a role in the spiritual aspect. I will dig into more detail in more posts.
Although much of this discussion has focused on the nutritional aspect of a person, the most important aspect is that of the spiritual. Today, we are bombarded with all sorts of religious experiences, but what is truth? In John 8:32, Jesus states that you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. What truth was he referring to? Throughout the entire Bible, God reveals that the truth that sets one free is through the acceptance of Christ's free gift of salvation. This comes through the realization that you are sinner and can only attain eternal life through the sacrifice of Christ's own blood. God cannot look on sin, but because His son, Jesus Christ, paid that ransom for us, God can look through His son and see you redeemed. Romans 6:23 states that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. He asks for nothing in return. I was recently saved this past Christmas. After growing up in a Bible-believing home and attending Christian schools for my entire education, I thought I was saved but the relationship was not there. Once I truly asked Jesus to save my wicked soul, everything changed. I developed a desire to serve Him with my life and honor Him with my words, actions, plans, and dreams. Although He doesn't ask anything in return, a natural desire to establish a relationship with my Savior and honor Him with my life began to take root and grow. I look at it this way, Christ died for me and every single person in this world from the past, present, and future, so that you and me wouldn't have to die. The very least I can do is honor Him with my life. No debt could ever repay His love for me, and He doesn't expect any repayment, but I desire to at least share His love with others. If you don't have Christ living in your life, you're definitely missing out!
I look forward to developing concepts and discussions. I welcome any feedback as well! I'm just an imperfect human trying to help other imperfect humans live a life full through Christ and complete by taking care of the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the body.
My goal with this blog is to just be transparent with people regarding the arising issues concerning nutrition in our nation. I aim to bring an objective view with "how to" steps to improve your nutritional intake and overall health. Please keep in mind that not all "how to" steps will work for everyone, and I highly encourage anyone that is struggling with health problems to consult a nutritionist. I have personally struggled with health problems for years and was unable to receive any answers from doctors. It wasn't until I was introduced to Karen Hurd (karenhurd.com) that I was able to see extreme improvements in my many health problems. Much of what I will post and discuss is stemmed from her experience, education, and philosophy of nutrition as well as my own experiences and education.
Not only do I want to focus on the nutritional aspect of the body, but also the spiritual aspect. The body is made up of three parts: physical, emotional, and spiritual. My goal is to integrate these three in my discussions because when one part is suffering all is suffering. I wish to address issues regarding depression, high stress-level living, dealing with conflict, perfectionism, as well as several other highly controversial issues and how food can affect the proper functioning of your body which affects the emotional stability of your body which plays a role in the spiritual aspect. I will dig into more detail in more posts.
Although much of this discussion has focused on the nutritional aspect of a person, the most important aspect is that of the spiritual. Today, we are bombarded with all sorts of religious experiences, but what is truth? In John 8:32, Jesus states that you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. What truth was he referring to? Throughout the entire Bible, God reveals that the truth that sets one free is through the acceptance of Christ's free gift of salvation. This comes through the realization that you are sinner and can only attain eternal life through the sacrifice of Christ's own blood. God cannot look on sin, but because His son, Jesus Christ, paid that ransom for us, God can look through His son and see you redeemed. Romans 6:23 states that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. He asks for nothing in return. I was recently saved this past Christmas. After growing up in a Bible-believing home and attending Christian schools for my entire education, I thought I was saved but the relationship was not there. Once I truly asked Jesus to save my wicked soul, everything changed. I developed a desire to serve Him with my life and honor Him with my words, actions, plans, and dreams. Although He doesn't ask anything in return, a natural desire to establish a relationship with my Savior and honor Him with my life began to take root and grow. I look at it this way, Christ died for me and every single person in this world from the past, present, and future, so that you and me wouldn't have to die. The very least I can do is honor Him with my life. No debt could ever repay His love for me, and He doesn't expect any repayment, but I desire to at least share His love with others. If you don't have Christ living in your life, you're definitely missing out!
I look forward to developing concepts and discussions. I welcome any feedback as well! I'm just an imperfect human trying to help other imperfect humans live a life full through Christ and complete by taking care of the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the body.
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