Sick day...

Yesterday I sat at home with a fever. So, considering I work with a client who is older, it was best I not go.

I was watched The Doctors show and they discussed how people can prevent heart disease, heart attacks, breast cancer, and diabetes.

Since my dad had his heart attack over a week ago, I feel like I've seen more Lipitor and Plavix commercials. And show's like The Doctors are talking about it more... But it is convicting. Shouldn't we be taking care of the bodies God gave us? 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. I also know that before this in verse 18 that is speaks of sexual immorality. In my limited knowledge on Scripture I often do not know if what I'm getting out of it is what I should. I also do not want to pull anything out of context. Can this verse be applied to taking care of our bodies so we can serve the Lord well? If we become overweight because we've treated our body poorly by not exercising and over eating, can we serve the Lord well?

The more I think about it, I don't think it is being a good example. We should not be slaves to anything, and that includes our bodies. We are to be mastered by nothing, but submit to Jesus; we are to serve and honor Him. Again I know these verses are speaking of sexual immorality, BUT I think they can be applied to many things in life...

1 Corinthians 6: 12-17

Everything is permissible for me-- but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me-- but I will not be mastered by anything. Food for the stomach and the stomach for food-- but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become on flesh". But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.

I lean on the side of being obsessive about things, situation, and at some points in my life even people. When I desire to do the right thing I can rely on said thing instead of God. I so do this with my health. I have been keeping track of what I eat every day for I don't know how long and I can be obsessive about what I put in my mouth. But God has been convicting my heart... I will not be mastered by anything, words spoken by Paul but they speak to my heart today in 2010. I desire for Jerod and I to be healthy and honor the Lord by treating our bodies well. I want to honor the Lord and keep myself beautiful for my husband.

So! Here are some tips to living a healthier life from The Doctors. I've adapted it from a segment about the top 5 ways to prevent breast cancer but I believe it can be applied to more than that! SO these are my 6 ways to living a healthier life...

1. Go organic as much as your budget allows. (more important: milk, cheese, bread, yogurt, soft skinned fruit)
2. Limit your alcohol... women especially should be drinking little to almost none.
3. Eat your veggies! Vibrant colored vegetables have more beneficial nutrients.
4. Get plenty of exercise! Even if it is only walking and some strength training.
5. Swap your oils. Try canola oil and olive oils which are monounsaturated.
6. I know men might hate this but... eat less meat! Try to eat more vegetarian meals. Red meat especially is higher in saturated fat and cholesterol.

dmj :-)