Forward by Jennifer Rae Vliet ~ Combining the Health and Food post today because we care about what God says about health, healing and foods that He has given us to have a better life.
I really appreciated this short and sweet post about the reasons why God would want us to be healthy and well. There is one missing though that I think is the most important…
TO BE OBEDIENT TO HIM and show Him we love and trust Him!
This is from Faith and Health Connection website:
There are probably a few hundred reasons that might motivate you to care for yourself and to be healthy. Here are five, actually four, reasons that motivate me at a really deep level… and I think that these are reasons why God would want us all to be motivated by.
- It glorifies God
- You’re taking care of your body – His temple
- It’s being a good witness
- You’ll have more energy – be better equipped for what God has planned for you
It Glorifies God
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that whatever we do we’re to do it to the glory of God. It also tells us in Isaiah that we were created and formed by God to glorify Him. This is our primary purpose in life – to glorify God. We do that when we care for our body and live a healthy lifestyle.
Our Body is God’s Temple and for Us to Care For
One scripture that reminds us that our body is God’s temple is 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. God’s Holy Spirit lives inside a believer. After we accept Jesus into our heart, God gives us His Spirit to help us live the kind of life He wants us to live. Since God actually lives in us, Paul tells us in this verse that our body is His temple. Since God “bought” us with a high price, Jesus’ death, than we are obligated to care for our body which is His temple.
If you are not a believer in Jesus but want to join His family, read more here.
Being Healthy is Being a Good Witness
Acts 1:8 reminds us that we are to be witnesses for other people. People look for us to be models of the Christian faith. We ought to desire to live our lives in a way that represents our faith well. Taking care of our health is one way that we can be a good witness.
You’ll Have More Energy to Do God’s Work
Ephesians 2:10 helps us see that we are God’s masterpiece, created to do the good things that He had planned a long time ago for us to do. We all know that the more fit and healthy we are the more energy we will have. The more energy that we have, the more we can put into whatever task we are doing. We’ll also be better able to sustain ourself for the long haul.
And here is a good list from Dr. Josh Axe who puts out some really good info.
By Kissairis Munoz – drAxe.com
The healthiest mood-boosting foods might not always be the first thing on your mind when you find yourself diving in to a bowl of ultra-processed foods like greasy chips or crispy fried chicken. Those processed foods may temporarily taste amazing but often leave you feeling less-than-awesome afterward.
It’s our biology. Our brains are wired to turn to food to feel better, and the food industry knows how to play us. (At least it tries to by adding some of the worst ingredients into our foods.)
Our bodies actually respond to different types of foods in different ways. Some foods, like those full of “bad” carbohydrates — like white breads, pasta and deep-fried treats — can leave us feeling bloated and down in the dumps.
Eating a poor diet is full of cascading effects that damage your mood, and to think that your mood plays no role in your health is a total myth. A poor mood can actually damage your immune system, slow down weight loss and lead to tension headaches. Ouch.
Luckily, there are others that can actually improve our moods.
Wait, what? It turns out there’s a direct link between what we eat and how we feel. People with depression, for instance, often make food choices that can actually contribute to feeling depression symptoms.
Luckily, it’s not all bad news. In fact, there are foods that can help make you feel awesome. These mood-boosting foods infuse your body with nutrients, allowing the brain to produce neurotransmitters that give you a natural high. That’s why you can actually help fight depression with nutrition.
The following seven mood-boosting foods are proven to leave you feeling better. Not only that, but they taste great, too.
The next time you’re craving a comfort food, turn to these proven mood-boosters instead of empty calories full of science- and lab-created ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at nature’s top mood-boosting foods.
Top Mood-Boosting Foods
Here are some of my favorite happiness-creating, mood-boosting foods:
1. Avocado
Avocado benefits are far-reaching, particularly in the brain department. In fact, you’ll find them on nearly every healthy eating list — and with good reason.
This superfood is loaded with benefits ranging from protecting your heart to helping with digestion, but it’s also a great pick for improving your mood.
Avocados are natural hormone balancers, ensuring your brain is making the right chemicals needed for keep it feeling great. If I had to recommend just one food to eat to feel happier, this would be it, the mood-boosting avocado. It’s the No. 1 food to eat to feel happier.
Satisfy your sweet tooth and enjoy all of avocados’ benefits with my Chocolate Avocado Mousse recipe.
2. Grapes
Juicy grapes are the ultimate take-along snack, and these powerful little fruits are also handy when you want to feel better. When you look at grapes nutrition, you see they are packed with antioxidants, especially flavonoids, which have been found to affect mood.
While you can get some of the antioxidant benefits from red wine, which is made from grapes, alcohol is a known depressant. Keep your spirits up by eating the fruit in its natural state instead.
This hearty homemade Chicken Salad recipe includes a serving of grapes, but feel free to serve extra on the side.
3. Shiitake Mushrooms
This meaty mushroom has more to offer than just taste. Upgrading your normal white mushrooms to this Asian variety brings a variety of nutrients to the table, including vitamin B6.
While the entire B vitamin complex family is critical to ensuring our physical and psychological functions operate normally, B6, also known as pyridoxine, is particularly great for improving your mood and feeling good.
Because vitamin B6 impacts the production of serotonin and neurotransmitters, healthy B6 levels are associated with a positive mood and reducing stress naturally. It’s also been proven to effectively help treat mood disorders like depression.
Plus, shiitake mushrooms are a delicious addition to meat-free meals thanks to their texture and ability to soak up sauces and taste. Mmm.
My Vegan Sushi mixes shiitake mushrooms, cauliflower rice and some tasty veggies for a vegan-friendly sushi that everyone will enjoy.
4. Raw Nuts
It’s time to go nuts. That’s because these bite-sized foods are loaded with healthy benefits that will leave you smiling. Nuts are full of serotonin, a feel-good chemical that’s in short supply when you’re depressed.
Nuts are also full of antioxidants and healthy fats. I’m a fan of walnuts, Brazil nuts and cashews — just be sure to be mindful of how many you eat. While they are healthy, nuts are also high in fat and calories, so a handful or two is usually the right amount.
These Salty Lime Roasted Nuts combine sea salt with maple syrup for a sweet and salty snack you can eat on the go.
5. Salmon
Wild-caught salmon is one of the best foods for both your mood and brain health. This lean protein contains double your recommended value of vitamin B12. Getting enough of this vitamin is crucial to warding off depression and staying mentally healthy.
One study found that patients with the highest vitamin B12 levels were most successful in combatting depression.
Salmon also packs a punch of mood-stabilizing essential fatty acids. These bad boys keep your brain operating in tip-top shape by helping you produce the right chemicals so you can turn that frown upside down.
This Salmon Stir Fry recipe comes together in minutes and pairs my favorite fish with a heap of fresh veggies.
6. Sesame Seeds
Not just a topping, sesame seeds are powerful in their own right. This ancient crop has been keeping happy levels up for thousands of years.
Its benefits stem from tyrosine. This amino acid boosts the brain’s dopamine levels, kicking the feel-good hormone into high gear, while balancing out the others.
Inhaling oil from sesame seeds has also been shown to improve mood.
Sprinkle sesame seeds on salad or in smoothies. You can also roast them and make this Tahini recipe, a delicious alternative to the usual hummus.
7. Strawberries
Last in this list of mood-boosting foods? Probably the most beloved of berries: the strawberry. These berries are rich in an array of vitamins and nutrients, like vitamins A and C and manganese.
Because of this, strawberries serve as a strong line of defense against brain degeneration, while also boosting the happy chemicals your brain produces. And who can argue at how good they taste?
My Strawberry Rhubarb Chia Seed Pudding is dairy-free, full of berries and makes an excellent breakfast or dessert.
And I will always punctuate a feature like this with the following question based on these Truths of God:
God loves us. (John 14:21) He wants the best for us. He wants to bless us and make our food amazing (Isaiah 1:19) and heal our land (2Chron 7:14) and take our sickness away (Exodus 23:25) and set us high above all the nations of the earth! (Deut 28:1)
Why would we not want to respond out of obedience to God?