What Does The Bible Say About Food?

The Christian Philosophy of Food by Peter Bringe brings the light of Scripture into the confused and sometimes dangerous world of diet and nutrition. It is a door-opener for Christians to see what God has said about food. This courageous work is full of solid biblical principles for a life of health and blessing. 

Peter begins with a call to humility and fear of God: “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones” (Prov. 3:7-8) and,“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7) 

He launches into Genesis 1:29: “God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.’” From this verse the author sees plant foods as central in diet and nutrition. This is a bold statement; the American pulpit has been long silent because of the volatile controversy of Vegetarianism. Peter responds with these words: “The Bible teaches that plant foods are more central and important...Only plant foods are given as food in the beginning, for animals as well as man. Even after the fall mankind was restricted to only eating plant foods until after the flood. It would follow that plant foods are the foundational food for mankind.”

Peter offers a Christian food pyramid that follows the progressive revelation of scripture. Prioritizing plant foods at the foundation base of the triangle (Gen. 1:29), clean meats following (Lev. 11), and unclean meats last (Mark 7:15-19, Acts 10:12-16). 

“A predominately plant food diet is a defense against the argument that we cannot produce enough food for a growing population and so should not obey God’s command to ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.’” (Gen. 1:28) An acre of land used for cattle can supply 77 days of one adult’s protein needs. In contrast, if used for soybeans, it could supply 2,224 days of sustenance for an adult. “By eating more plant foods we are taking better and more efficient dominion of the earth.”

For some years a friend, Dr. Paul Shakespeare, came over every Monday and taught us about health, and the damages and dangers of unhealthy eating. As a missionary doctor in war-torn Biafra, in the 70‘s, starving refugees came, fleeing the devastation. Among these were pregnant mothers. Only those who were able to grow and eat black-eye beans, their babies lived (the beans contained enough protein and folate for the little ones to survive.)

Worried about protein deficiencies with a plant-based diet? “Broccoli contains more protein per calorie than steak.” Look at the apes and gorillas if you think you must have meat to build muscle. 

Next Peter addresses meat: “Even though plant food is more basic to our diet,” he writes, “God has also given us meat to eat.”

The Bible’s view of clean and unclean meats has been vindicated by Dr. David Macht in 1953. At John Hopkins University he studied the toxic effects of animal flesh. He found that clean animals were found to be nontoxic and all unclean meats were classified as toxic.

A byproduct our de-relationalized culture, Peter points out, is “pop-food,” which sacrifices health, lacks personal character, and appeals to the lowest common denominator of taste-buds.

Always keeping food and health in balance, Peter writes, “There is a time to eat conservatively, paying close attention to health, but there are also times to feast and make merry.” We are to be neither sensually self-centered or health obsessed, but to eat to the glory of God. “Food, hospitality, and relationships are strongly connected,” Peter writes. Food is meant to be enjoyed in community. “Simple and ancient things like eating and conversing together as a family are foundational to a Christian culture and society.”

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 14:17)

In this book we find the wisdom and knowledge necessary for meaningful change, encouragement for eating more plant foods and a balanced biblical approach to diet and health. The book has fresh strength from God’s law as it advances Christian culture. We come to realize that all of life is holy. Behind this book is the covenant keeping God “Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

You may wish to purchase Peter Bringe’s book at

TheChristianPhilosophyOfFood.com 

We highly recommend his blog: 

ForChristsKingdom.blogspot.com 

"Fighting Breast Cancer with Flaxseeds"

"Women ate either a control muffin with no flax seeds imbedded or 25g flax-containing muffin starting at time of diagnosis of breast cancer for just 32-39 days until surgery. Tumor tissue analyzed at diagnosis and surgery demonstrated surprising benefits even in this short time frame."
http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/breast-cancer-fighting-breast-cancer-with-flaxseeds.html

94% of people tested are iodine deficient.

The three most [under-prescribed] commonly lacking nutrients: Vit. D3-Sunshine, Vit. B12 [Methylcobalamin] and Iodine.

Thyroid Treatment | Hypothyroidism | IodinePlus2 - Women's Health Institute

"Making Babies" DVD Pre-Order

Shoshanna Pearl Easling's DVD series is almost here!

Research, recipes, herbs, exercise, expert interviews, recovery and infant care...

As much as I've experienced all these with my mother and siblings, I look forward to Shoshanna's beautiful touch as she educates a new generation on the miracle of created life.

http://www.bulkherbstore.com/MBBV?utm_source=Bulk+Herb+Store+Newsletter&utm_campaign=227d03394b-Bulk_Herb_Store_Newsletter_Issue_80&utm_medium=email

Is Heme Iron Good for Us?

Iron...is a potent oxidant. Excess iron in the body causes the production of free radicals which in turn can damage cells, leading to many kinds of disease and causing premature aging. For example, when sufficient quantities of heme iron are present, as is likely to happen when appreciable quantities of beef, cholesterol is oxidized into a form that is more readily absorbed by the arteries. This leads to increased rates of heart disease.

With non-heme iron -- the kind found in plants -- it's a totally different story. Your body absorbs only what it needs. When your iron needs are higher, your body absorbs more; when they are lower, it absorbs less. And in this case, the wisdom of the body has profound implications for health and longevity.

~John Robbins, Healthy at 100; How You Can -- At Any Age -- Dramatically Increase Your Life Span And Your Health Span, page 150

I've read experiences of pregnant women who were anemic and used herbal iron when conventional supplements did not help. One said, "My iron count soared." ~Regina 

Eat leafy greens to see clearly.

"Lutein and zeaxanthin, which are found in leafy greens like kale, travel to the central area of the retina (called the macula), and are the only known carotenoids located in the human visual system. Previous research has shown that these pigments are protective against age-related macular degeneration. Scientists now have evidence that these macular pigments also play important roles in visual performance.

Since our bodies can’t produce these pigments, levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the retina depend on the amounts consumed in the diet. "

http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/cat-eye-health.html

A Valentine Love Story from DiseaseProof.com

"Only God can change a heart. All the diets, disciplined efforts, exercise programs, treatment centers, hypnosis, or any other methods are destined to fail if the heart of the person has not decided to live. I think many people have to hit bottom in order to look up, and Ronnie was no exception. After his second trip to the hospital for treatment of serious heart disease in three years, we were both at rock bottom.

What was the turning point for you?
Upon returning home after having three stents put into his arteries [two years after quadruple bypass surgery], I watched Ronnie search for a new way to live. He discovered Dr. Fuhrman’s web site and began to communicate with him about his health. As Ronnie gained information, he began to change. Although that first year was hard, (Ronnie had been smoking four packs of cigarettes a day and stopped cold turkey), his decision to live never faltered. It was an instant decision on his part. Seeing his will to live again was a turning point for me as I could look forward to a future with the man that I loved the most in the world. My assumption of being a widow was no longer valid! God had come through in His mercy." -- Peggy Valentine

http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/interviews-features-a-valentine-love-story.html

Longevity

10% of longevity is dictated by genes; 90% is dictated by lifestyle. People interviewed who were over 100 years old had a strong sense of purpose, had lifestyles that nudge them into physical activity, tend to have a garden, ate beans and nuts, were religious and their rates of western killer diseases were much lower. Out of 270 super-centenarians interviewed, only 6 did not believe in God.

Synthetic Folic Acid a Possible Health Hazard

Dr. Fuhrman warns:

DO NOT take multivitamins
that contain folic acid.
and
If you are pregnant,
DO NOT take prenatal vitamins!

Folic acid supplementation is dangerous – especially for pregnant women

Women who take supplemental folic acid increase their breast cancer risk by 20-30%, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers collected data on women's folic acid intake from multivitamins over a 10-year period – they found that the women who took multivitamins containing folic acid were more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than those that did not. ^1,2

If folic acid can have these dangerous effects, why is it included in most
multivitamins, prenatal vitamins and fortified grain products?

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, a member of the family of B vitamins that is involved with DNA synthesis and DNA methylation, which essentially turns genes on and off. Because of these crucial functions, folate plays important roles in fetal development and nerve tissue health as well as cancer initiation and progression.

Unlike synthetic folic acid, folate obtained from food sources – especially green vegetables – protects against breast and prostate cancer.

Spinach, raw	843 μg
Endive	835 μg
Romaine lettuce	800 μg
Asparagus, cooked	750 μg
Mustard greens, raw	700 μg
Collards, raw	550 μg
Okra, cooked	520 μg
Bok choy, raw	500 μg
Brocolli Rabe, raw	375 μg
Arugula, raw	340 μg
Artichokes, cooked	330 μg
Brussels sprouts, cooked	300 μg
Broccoli, cooked	300 μg
Cauliflower, raw	225 μg
Red leaf lettuce	225 μg
Celery, raw	225 μg

^{For the rest of the article and references see:}

^{http://www.drfuhrman.com/library/folic_acid_dangers_and_prenatal_vitamins.aspx}

One more reason to eat the best we can and not rely on a pill for health. ~Regina

Mother’s Milk: Ideal Nutrition for Human Babies

Protein is a prime example of how human milk is unique nutrition for human babies. Human milk is low in protein, at least when compared with the milk of other species, especially cow's milk. This isn't a nutritional deficiency; there are good reasons for this. Human infants are designed to grow slowly. While it's important for humans to develop strong bodies, even more important is brain development and the learning of social skills. The experiences that shape the brain come from close contact between mother and baby when baby is held and carried. If human infants doubled their birth weight in less than 50 days the way baby calves do, and then continued growing, how could their mothers carry them and talk to them and keep them close? Baby cows need to learn where to find the best grass in the meadow; baby humans need to learn how to work with others so that everyone's needs get met.

Read full article at Charis Childbirth: http://www.charischildbirth.org/newsletter/1109/page3.htm

Thank you to Emily http://doulaemily.blogspot.com/ for posting this article.

Dad Serves Breakfast: Chocolate Cake (eggs, milk, wheat) ~ and grapefruit juice?

Why is it that the kids sing praises of their Dad

while Mom gets the attack?

Mom is always trying to make things better...

clean children, brushed hair, good nutrition.

Dad is easy.

He doesn't mind if the children get covered with mud

while he is digging the post hole.

Kids need both parents for balance.

This one makes us roar with laughter.