I know the feeling. Having more information than you know what to do with! And not knowing where to begin with it. And then feeling like giving up before you’ve even started because of being overwhelmed.
If this describes you, then this post is for you! I’m going to share some resources to help you get on the path to glorifying God with your body and feeling better–emotionally, spiritually, and physically!
Books
Over 6 years ago, I read a book that has changed my life. Dramatically! I picked it up at my church’s library one Sunday afternoon, grabbed a pastry from the atrium, and headed home. Little did I know that this book, What The Bible Says About Healthy Living by Dr. Rex Russell, would have such an impact on my life (although I’m pretty sure God knew!).
In this book, Dr. Russell lays out three basic, biblical principles for a healthy lifestyle:
1) Eat the foods God created for you (those intended as food).
2) Eat foods in their original state as much as possible before they are altered by man.
3) Don’t let any food or drink become your God.
While reading this book, I knew God was speaking loud and clear to me to make some changes. I responded by throwing out the dinner I had brewing in our Crockpot. I couldn’t go one more day pretending like I didn’t know what I knew, and this book gave me the information I needed to do that.
After my first year of being a nutrition counselor, I began to get discouraged. I had clients giving up and friends/family insulting my passion for nutrition. I started to wonder if I should give up this difficult effort to help people honor God with their bodies and overcome food addictions.
And then one of my clients and dear friends recommended Lysa TerKeurst’s book Made to Crave. This book was exactly what I needed to remind me that this issue IS important to God and it IS crucial to address in order to grow in our love and mission for God.
TerKeurst discusses how our physical eating habits are a reflection of our spiritual state, and encourages us to replace our food cravings with God cravings. This book is an incredible mixture of both encouragement and hard truths. I highly, highly recommend it. In fact, I wish I could afford to buy a box of these books and just pass them out on a regular basis!
Movies
The age of documentaries is upon us, and it is a great age for learning a lot just by sitting in front of the TV. Some of my favorite documentary films that discuss the truth about food and health are:
Food Inc.
Food Matters
Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead
Challenges
If you’re the kind of person that can read hard-hitting information and still not feel the motivation to make changes, it may be time for a Challenge!
HFFG’s 30-Day No-Refined-Sugar Challenge
Every April and September, Healthy Families for God does a No-Refined-Sugar Challenge. Most of the daily information is covered on Facebook, but I have included many resources, information, and recipes right here on this website. You don’t have to wait until April or September to make one of the most important changes in your health! As far as dietary changes go, this is the first one I always recommend for just about anyone. Read this article for more information on how refined sugar affects just about every single health condition and why it’s a great place to start!
HFFG’s 40-Day Real Foods Challenge
For the 2012 New Year, I created the 40-Day Challenge for people who wanted a crash course on getting healthy. Because it was so successful and many people were asking to join late, I created it as an ongoing Challenge. New people are still starting every single week. The Challenge provides you with a menu, recipes, and completed grocery list every week, as well as daily e-newsletters to keep you on track. It’s easily customized and tailored for many, many different types of diets. None of the recipes or grocery lists include refined sugars, so it also offers the additional benefit of helping eliminate refined sugars. For more information on this Challenge, go here.
If you still feel overwhelmed with your current health issues and want to know what foods would be best to incorporate and eliminate, check out my personal nutrition counseling services.
Most importantly, your first step should be to pray! God WILL guide you on the path He has for you to take on your mission to make your body a suitable temple for the Creator of the world! May He bless you as you seek to honor Him!
For Christ,
~Sara
