Sunday, July 20, 2008

60 Pounds Later


Pictures always tell a story and this one is a trifle bit shocking. Yes, it's really me before the 60 pounds went south. When I look at this picture, it is hard to believe I was so overweight. I think one of the hardest things to do is to take an honest look at ourselves.

Yes, I knew my clothes didn't fit just right. I never had enough energy to exercise but I didn't realize at the time I needed to make some serious decisions. I was struggling with chronic fatigue and every year an upper respiratory infection would take hold of me for weeks. I must admit, I was very ashamed of the way I looked. The reality was I didn't feel like myself anymore. Depression and hopelessness were the only friends I had and as desperate as I was for them to leave they continued to hang around.

My family has always supported me but no one was brave enough to tell me the hard core truth. Mom, you need to loose weight! I'm sure they didn't want to hurt my feelings but I really needed someone to take my hand and guide me. Trapped inside of me, was a beautiful princess warrior, waiting for her prince to come riding in and provide a way of escape.

I was exhausted from all the diet books on the market and I was not going to experiment anymore. One day a dear friend gave me a book to read about biblical nutrition and my journey began. After learning what the bible had to say about God's perspective on how to eat healthy, I made a choice to do it His way. My glorious Prince had finally arrived! He had always been with me but was patiently waiting on me to lean on Him and stop striving in my own strength. The Standard American Diet had been my way for many years and now it was time for me to enter the pathway of freedom.

In Deuteronomy 30:19, God's Word says, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.."

He even tells us the right answer to pick. Life! I stand humble before The Lord today and I am reminded I can do all things through Him Who strenghtens me. Maybe you are struggling today with health issues. I encourage you to humble yourself before The Lord and ask Him to direct you to your pathway of healing. He will help you because He stands forever faithful.

Have a healthy green day!
Mitzi

Sunday, July 13, 2008

The Raw Adventure

I finally gave in and spent the outrageous price for this gorgeous looking tropical fruit. I was hesitate because I knew I would be sending my taste buds on a new adventure. After all just the name dragon fruit does not sound too appealing. It could be a ancient fruit that furious, fire spitting dragons grazed upon in mythology times. Perhaps the fruit grew in The Garden of Eden? I like my second idea better.

According to an Asian legend the fruit was produce by a fire breathing dragon. When the dragon was in battle it would breath fire out of it's mouth and the last thing to come out was the fruit. After the dragon was killed the Asian warriors would collect the fruit and present it to the Emperor as a treasure of their victory.

I placed the $6.00 piece of fruit on the cutting board and gave it a good slice down the middle. The flesh was white with little black seeds that look like poppy seeds. The taste is very similar to kiwi but with a gentle sweetness and not as tart. The seeds have a fun, crunchy feel in your mouth. I thoroughly enjoyed it and even shared the other half with my daughter Sarah, who loved it. She wants me to buy another one.

The exploration of trying new raw foods is a great adventure we can all enjoyed if we allow our natural instincts to take over. The bogged-down thinking of the mind that has been fed the standard american diet keeps the body in prison. We are not free to explore the beautiful food God has created for us to eat. We think we have to cook everything and so in turn all the enzymes and nutrients are destroyed leaving us with dead food and eventually a dead body. I challenge you all to think raw! Go on an outrageous taste bud adventure with me and let's explore unknown territory to a far away island giving our bodies the best food God has to offer. My next adventure is a durian! Until next time think green and eat raw!


The Healthy Green Chef
Mitzi