A WOW, HEALTHY , AND QUICK RECIPE

HONOLULU CREAM YOGURT

4-6 oz of organic plain yogurt with honey

1 T coconut oil

chopped fresh pineapple

chopped banana

a little wheatgerm

a little flax

Chopped walnuts

This is a great snack or a good breakfast if you add a boiled egg. Pretty yummy!

TREE OF LIFE- COCONUT IS MEDICINE!

This amazing fruit provides a nutritious source of meat, juice, milk, and oil. What used to be considered dangerous, because of heart disease and artery clogging, is now tested and known as a "functional food" because of it's extraordinary nutritional value. It's rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It's thought of as MEDICINE and can be used to treat many physical problems.

The "MIRACLE OIL" is what I'd like to focus on. I have read that the daily intake should be from 3-4 T a day, preferably with meals. It's wonderful in oatmeal. My favorite whole-wheat bread is one called "Woodstock," made by Stone Mill Bakery in Fayetteville, AR. It's all natural and has a wonderful crunchy texture. Toast it and add the oil instead of butter. (my son suggested this) You could even add a little banana. It's the best! You can cook easily with it. It's great to cook popcorn. Get on-line for some great recipes. When you try them, please share. It's nutrients are not destroyed by heat and is the best and safest oil for cooking. DO NOT refrigerate. One of the cautions is to start eating it gradually in case you should be allergic. One other thing is that it is very good for the digestion and is a fiber. You could have diarrhea, which is not necessarily a bad thing, just inconvenient.

GREAT FOR:

1. Heart disease

2. Weight loss

3. Skin care and hair

4. Digestion

5. Immune system

6.Healing and infections

7. Increasing body metabolism

8. Stress reliever

9. Helps control blood sugar

10. Helps prevent osteoporosis

11. Helps with dental care

12. Useful in treatment of Alzheimer's

13. Research being done with Parkinson's

14. Boost energy and endurance

15. Helps with liver, kidney, and bladder disease

16. Helps dissolve kidney stones

17. Anti inflammatory

It amazed me the part it can play in weight loss. Since it increases the metabolism by removing stress on pancreases, it then burns out more energy and helps obese and overweight people to reduce their weight. It's a very healthy fat!

It kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, SARS, etc...according to Coconut Research Center. It also kills bacteria that causes ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea.

The meat of the coconut is a fruit, the shell is the nut or seed, and the oil is classified as vegetable oil. Try to purchase the organic virgin coconut oil.

Please do some research for yourself. It is amazing to me the wonderful things they are learning about this. I've already started my intake. The main thing I would love to see it help, is inflammation and it is suppose to. We shall see??? I love the flavor.

Here are 2 sites to check out, along with many more: organicfacts.net and coconutresearchcenter.org

LIQUID GOLD-RAW HONEY

Raw honey, preferably organic, is a wonderful source of nutrition in so many ways. Raw simply means it has had NO HEAT put to it. The aromas, yeast, and enzymes which are responsible for activating the vitamins and minerals are protected. It has a high antioxidant level and many healing properties.

Raw honey is the concentrated nectar of flowers that come straight from the extractor. It's the only unheated, pure, unpasteurized, unprocessed honey and alkaline-forming food. This type of honey contains ingredients similar to those found in fruits, which become alkaline in the digestive system. It doesn't ferment in the stomach and it can be used to counteract acid indigestion when mixed with ginger and lemon juice. This also helps to relieve nausea and supplies energy.

It's nature's own multivitamin: Vitamin B1,2,3,5, and 6. It also is an antioxidant-rich source of vitamin C. The minerals included are magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, chlorine, sulphur, and phosphate.

Raw honey is the healthiest choice amongst the various forms of honey as it has the most nutritional value and remains amylase, an enzyme concentrated in flower pollen which helps predigest starchy foods like breads.

Here are some of the excellent values of this "LIQUID GOLD":

1.) Energy booster and gives the body strength

2) Reduces muscle fatigue

3) Great aide for morning sickness

4) Helps to relieve sore throat

5) Honey and cinnamon can help to relieve bladder infection, arthritis, upset stomach, bad breath, and slow down hair loss.

6) Helps keep cholesterol in check

7) Honey and lemon helps to shift the extra fat stores, thus making it usable energy for regular body functions.

8) It's a preservative

9) Interestingly enough, it can also be used on outside wounds kind of like Neosporin. A friend told me they treated a wound on their dog and then put gauze around it and it completely healed it.

10) It's an excellent immune booster used for treating ulcers, diarrhea, bronchitis, and gastrointestinal issues.

Always try to get your raw honey in your local area because it contains the immune stimulating properties needed for your body to adapt to it's environment. This helps with allergies. One last very important thing to caution you about is to never give any type of honey to an infant 1 year or younger because of botulism.

I love to sweeten my herbal hot teas, smoothies, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and some cooking recipes with honey. One of my very favorite sandwiches is Natural Smuckers Peanut Butter, raw honey, banana, avocado, on whole wheat bread. Just remember a small one. It's all natural, but pretty high in GOOD fat and calories.

Proverbs 24:13 "Eat honey, my son. FOR IT IS GOOD."

Proverbs 25:27 "It's good not to eat too much honey." I guess there is something to be said for moderation.

Genesis 43:11 "Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift- a little balm, a little honey, spices, myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOODS

As much as I hate to admit it, I have a few of those painful joints after 25 years of running, tennis, walking, and now golf. Inflammation or inflammare (Latin word) meaning "on fire" is the first response to infection or irritations. The signs are swelling, redness, and pain when we first hurt ourselves or some kind of infection. However, recent research has shown that eating the wrong foods can case inflammation within our bodies. In fact, being overweight can, itself be the cause of inflammation: TOO MUCH SUGAR IS DECIDEDLY INFLAMMATION PROMOTING AND SHOULD BE CONTROLLED. NOT ENOUGH WATER, TOO MUCH POLYUNSATURATED FATS, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OILS, FOODS WITH PESTICIDES, AND NON- ORGANIC MILK ARE THINGS WE SHOULD STEER AWAY FROM.

These are a list of foods that can help reduce inflammation and supply us with loads of vitamins that will boost our immune system.

1. Kelp

2. Turmeric and ginger

3. Salmon (preferably wild caught) 2-3 times a week and try to find high quality Omega 3 fish oil

4. Shiitake mushrooms

5. Matcha Tea and Green Tea

6. Blueberries (the antioxidant powerhouse), strawberries, blackberries, raspberries,

and cranberries.

7. Papaya (fruit of the angels) and pineapple. Try to stay away from dried fruit that is full of

preservatives. Fresh is better.

8. Extra virgin olive oil. I was once told by a chef to save your expensive olive oil to use on

salads or things where you don't put heat to it, because the heat can destroy the nutritional

value. Avocado oil (alligator pear) is another good source of reducing

inflammatory issues and is also good for cooking because of higher smoke point. Fresh

avocados are great, also.

9. Broccoli and cauliflower

10. Sweet potato, spinach, and dark green vegetables. (preferably organic)

11. Water seems the answer to almost everything...it actually can accelerate our body's

metabolism and speeds up the removal of harmful by-products of our metabolism. Try to drink filtered water.

As the years creep up on us, we simply have to do all we can as far as nutrition goes and KEEP MOVING! I truly believe that these things can help us physically and emotionally. QUALITY LIFE IS MY GOAL! Fresh air and sunshine does wonders for our spirits. Enjoy what God has given us and always be thankful. I love Philippians 4:8 "Whatever is True, Noble, Right, Pure, Lovely, Admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." This can make all the difference in how we feel every morning when our feet hit the floor. We have control of every thought that enters our mind. Be on the alert. Should that thought be told to stop or permission to continue. It is up to you the attitude you will carry throughout the day and how you respond to others. May God bless you with a renewed mind...a mind like CHRIST. AMEN

TREASURE CHEST FULL!

GRAINS AND SEEDS... They are overwhelming and the treasure chest is full of these jewels: Rolled oats, steel cut oats, pearled barley, cracked barley, bulgur wheat, millet, wheat berry, spelt berry, farro, kamut, teff, quinoa, flax, and the many whole rice grains. These whole grains are not just a breakfast food, although, that is one of my most regular ways of eating them. They are awesome to serve as a side dish with sauteed veggies, or add to soups and salads. You can even make a veggie burger mixed with some of these cooked grains along with black beans. The recipes are countless. Just do a little research and you will find that you can feed your body some of the most nutritional dishes and cover your body's needs as far as nutrients. I sometimes wonder if you were to choose the right grains to make a loaf of bread, if you couldn't live on bread and water, alone. in a meal

One thing that I would like to suggest is that you might be careful to choose the grains that are the highest in protein if you are leaving off the meat in a meal. It is important to have a balanced protein and good carb food intake. Some of your very high protein grains are sorghum, amaranth, farro, spelt, oat groats, kamut, teff, hemp, & quinoa. I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones that come to mind.

Teff, better known as THE NUTRITIONAL POWERHOUSE from Ethopia, is the newest to me. There is no way to remove the germ or husk because this grain is supposedly the smallest in the world, which means all the nutrients are consumed. It is about the size of a poppy seed and can also be found in a flour form. This is a grain that promotes endurance and performance. It is a staple food of some of the best runners in the world. It is gluten free and very high in calcium and iron.

I have done a little research on the difference between a grain and seed. It gets rather complicated. It's almost like: What comes first, the chicken or the egg?? Bottom line is both are essential when it comes to the nutritional value. They are related and yet, not the same.

The nutritional value for our spiritual being is a little bit the same, talking about bread...Matthew 4:4 "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Our greatest spiritual nourishment is truly the word of God. John 6:35 says "Jesus is THE BREAD OF LIFE and whoever comes to HIM will never hunger and whoever believes in HIM will never thirst." The ultimate is to train ourselves to seek God at the beginning of our day and keep our eyes on HIM throughout. The bible is an instruction book for life. I can see where God cares about our spiritual and physical needs by giving us detailed information on how to care for both. Our body belongs to HIM. We are HIS temple. He wants the best for HIS children.

Lord, I ask that you bless those that read this today. Give us all insight, wisdom, guidance, self-control, and discipline in how YOU want us to take care of our spiritual and physical needs. I ask for healing and restoration needed in any of us, spiritually and physically. Where there is addiction, I pray that YOU would turn that around to where we will look to YOU for fulfillment, satisfaction, and peace. In Christ name I pray these things. Amen

ACCOUNTABILITY IS A MUST!

Anytime we are trying to succeed at something, especially when we are weak, we need one on one support and encouragement. Romans 12:10 says,"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

WATER IS LIFE TO OUR BODY! LET IT FLOW!

WATER IS ESSENTIAL TO LIFE- The brain is 75%, heart 75%, lungs 86%, kidneys 83%, and muscles 75% water. 2/3 of our body weight is water!

Water helps keep our muscles and skin toned, assist in weight loss, transports oxygen and nutrients to cells, eliminates toxins and waste from the body, and regulates body temperature. Drinking clean water plays a major role in reducing the risk of certain diseases. Did you know that dehydration is the main cause of kidney stones?

Water cushions our joints and protects tissues and organs. The lack of water or dehydration can be the cause of many of our sicknesses.

Trying to shed some pounds? Water is a major part in weight loss. There are no calories and it can serve as an appetite suppressant. It actually helps the body metabolize stored fat.

Drinking more water helps to reduce water retention by stimulating the kidneys. Studies show that if you are over weight, you should add 1 glass of water to your daily requirement (8-10 glasses) for every 25 lbs. over your recommended weight.

Water keeps everything flowing in and through our body. Its a natural lubricant that helps everything to slide through our system. It helps to fight bad breath. The bacteria that comes from the stomach to mouth can become stagnant, but water breaks it up and moves it along.

As we age, our mechanism for telling us we are thirsty doesn't work as well. We need to remind ourselves to drink throughout the day, whether thirsty or not. 64 oz of water is suggested a day or until your urine is fairly clear. Making a habit to carry bottled water in your car would be very beneficial.

It amazes me how FUNDAMENTAL a simple thing such as water is to our body! DRINK DRINK DRINK!!!!!!