Healthy Choices in the New Year...

My friend, Joanna Faillace, who is a Certified Bible Health Coach has sent me this very informative article! I'm pleased to share it here on my own personal blog, in its entirety!  If you have questions for Joanna or if you're interested in making some healthy changes this new year... please follow her on her website!  She's a wonderful, Christian woman, with a heart that desires to help people get physicallt healthy in Christ!

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New Year Tips for a Super-Naturally Healthy Family!

By Certified Biblical Health Coach, Joanna Faillace

 “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.” 1 Corinthians 6:19- 20 

OUT WITH THE OLD! IN WITH THE NEW!

To ring in the New Year, have a family prayer meeting and ask God for wisdom and guidance as you seek a healthier lifestyle for your family. Here are some dietary tips to help you:

 Decide not to buy processed junk foods that are void of any nutritive value and make it your goal, as much as possible, to buy organic foods which are whole foods that are made without any artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, toxic pesticides, chemically engineered feed, growth hormones and antibiotics. Read your labels and choose not to buy foods that contain toxic preservatives like MSG and ones that are genetically modified (GMO.)

 Switch from conventional milk to organic, whole milk that is least processed and is not treated with dangerous growth hormones and antibiotics.

 Don’t buy chemically bleached white bread, white rice and white sugar as these are high glycemic, “man-made” foods that cause your blood sugar to spike, and set off the hormone, cortisol, which is likely responsible for junk food cravings that your body will just store as fat! Do buy organic, whole grain breads, organic brown rice and organic cane sugar for baking.

 In place of chemically toxic, artificial sweeteners such as Splenda and Aspartame which can cause a host of side effects like migraines and hyperactivity, use all natural and enzyme rich, raw honey and organic maple syrup for sweetening coffee and tea.

Buy organic coffee as the leaves have not been sprayed with toxic pesticides! The extra investment is worth it, for your health’s sake! 

These are some easy and highly effective dietary tips that will work greatly to get you and your family on the road to supernatural health and wellness this New Year!

TURN OFF THE TV-TURN ON THE PRAISE! 

It is very difficult, if not impossible, to establish a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere in our homes when we are surrounded by multiple television sets constantly blaring away and with noisy video games being endlessly played! I believe the devil uses these as major distractions and stress inducers by causing family members to be angry and disrespectful and to be tempted to watch ungodly programs that do not glorify Christ! One of the best reSOULUTIONS we can make as parents is to TAKE ACTION!  Take the “controllers” away, turn off the TV’s and video games and turn on the praise tunes! Setting an atmosphere of praise and worship through Christ-centered music brings the family unit into blessed harmony and with a renewed focus!  

 RING THAT DINNER BELL TOGETHER!

God made whole, nutritious foods designed to keep us supernaturally healthy! Unfortunately, man has altered God’s perfect foods drastically by adding artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, toxic pesticides, chemically engineered feed, growth hormones and antibiotics. Because of our Typical American Diet loaded with these chemically processed foods, there is so much sickness and disease running rampant in families everywhere. I truly believe that God is challenging families to reverse their fast foods habits and get back into the kitchen and do some down home cooking with the whole, unprocessed foods he’s created! Family time in the kitchen can be really fun and educational! Assigning age-appropriate tasks to our children sparks a healthy interest in cooking, builds self-esteem and helps them to develop a sense of responsibility in caring for their bodies, which the Bible says are God’s temple! Some of our most valuable lessons and treasured memories come from cooking in the kitchen with Mama! 

EXERCISE FOR LIFE!

If you are financially able, prayerfully consider making an investment into a family membership at your local gym. This is another excellent way to strengthen the family bond and to ensure that everyone is getting consistent exercise that will help tremendously to ward off stress, fatigue, obesity and disease. Daily exercise also produces positive, mood-boosting endorphins in our brain that helps to create a joyful state of mind! If you cannot financially afford a gym membership, than you can always schedule daily walks in your neighborhood, or visit a local park or just get outside and have a ball and shoot some hoop with your kids!  Another idea is to buy a set of inexpensive hand weights to keep those arms strong and toned! Whatever you decide, a daily exercise plan will help your family to be responsible in caring for their bodies and to achieve life-long supernatural health and wellness!

Here are some Super-Naturally Healthy Meal Tips for Busy Families:

For Breakfast: Make all natural, fruit smoothies the night before and freeze them in individual cups! In the morning, all you have to do is take them out of the freezer and let them thaw a bit and your family has an instant, supernaturally healthy breakfast treat that will strengthen their immune systems and keep their bodies powered up until lunchtime! 

For Lunch: Protein rich, turkey sandwiches made with fresh baby spinach and garden ripe tomatoes on whole grain, fiber rich bread go a long way in providing complex carbs that our bodies need to stay powered up daily! To increase daily calcium levels, add a string cheese and a cup of organic, creamy, whole milk yogurt with probiotics and fresh berries for immune system protection. For a supernaturally healthy beverage, serve freshly squeezed juice, or boxed or bottled juices that are free of artificial flavors, chemical colors and toxic preservatives.

For a mid- afternoon energizer! Have a cup of freshly brewed, organic green tea with mint and add a teaspoon of raw honey.

For Dinner:  Grill up some barbeque chicken tenderloins right on the stove top in a grill pan! Everyone can help by creating a big, green salad loaded with lots of colorful veggies! Make your own easy, delicious and nutritious salad dressing without having to worry about store bought dressings that contain sulfites that could very well cause migraine headaches! Adding a warm loaf of organic, Sourdough bread served with real, creamy butter always hits that hungry spot!

 For Snacks: Prepare healthy, serving-sized snacks such as cut up fresh fruit, organic trail mix, and whole grain crackers with cheese the night before for school lunches or family road trips. That way, mornings can be less stressful and you’ll be able to get on the road in peace knowing you have already prepared a healthy alternative for your kids, especially, as you drive past the fast food and doughnut shops!

For easy, delicious and supernaturally healthy recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for your family, check out my Super-Naturally Healthy Families Cookbook available on my web site at www.supernaturallyhealthy.net.