Welcome

I hope you enjoy and find my blog useful. Please feel free to link, comment, or give your advice. Make yourself at home and come back daily as I will be updating daily.
Grace and Peace,
Ed
My photo
I'm a 54 year old Husband, Father of Four Daughters, Pastor and Vice Principal of a private K-12 school on Long Island.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Breakfast


Many experts call breakfast the most important meal of the day. It is exactly what it's name implies. Breakfast is the breaking of a fast. Most people have not eaten or drank anything in the 8-12 hours before eating breakfast so it certainly is reasonable to believe that what we ingest at this important meal will either help to "make" or "break" your day's nutritional goals.

The first and most important element is to drink water. After 8-12 hours our bodies are depleted of water. In those areas that experience winter this condition can be worsened by the use of dry heat throughout the night. The lack of water wears on all of our organs, even our skin.

So I recommend starting the day with a nice tall glass of pure water. An ideal breakfast will have lean protein to replenish our muscles and provide long lasting energy. Complex carbohydrates supply a good source of vitamins and minerals while providing quick burning energy to get your day going. Also some beneficial fat such as coconut oil or fish oil for the cardio vascular system and slow burning energy for mid morning.

I start my day with a large glass of pure water. After stretching I have a protein shake with soy milk, whey protein and a high fiber powder called Multi Clean. Then it's onto my exercise bike for 30 minutes followed by 15 minutes of weight training. Next it's time for the best and most nutritional drink I have ever made. It's made with one scoop of each, The Feast, The Feast Supercharged, Beyond Berries, Barley Pure and Sweet Careet. I mix this with 12 ounces of pure water in my URI shaker cup.

This start of the day sets up my metabolism to burn calories all day long and provides all of the nutrients I need to get my day going. I have a large garden salad for lunch and some lean protein and fresh veggies for dinner. I try to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water per day.

Not only have I lost some unwanted pounds using this model but i feel better than ever. At 52 I have the energy and the clarity of mind of a twenty year old. Breakfast is the start of our day so get going on the right foot. Look in the mirror and remind yourself of your blessings and the love that surrounds you and say, "Today I am going to have my best day possible. I am loved and will love. I am blessed and will bless".
Grace and Peace,
Ed



Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Ministry


I have something personal that I would like to share on the blog today. I will be writing tomorrow about the importance of Breakfast to give a deeper response to Jerry's question concerning it's importance.

I realized and remembered that this month marked my 28th year of ministry with Upper Room Christian World Center! I started 28 years ago in a small basement church in Brooklyn, NY called Upper Room Ministries. The Apostle of the work was Bishop Anthony D'onofrio and he ordained the Pastor I ministered with Pastor Vincent Salonia.

I started as the Bass Player in the basement of a three family home in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The church had about 60 people that met twice a week to Worship God and experience His love through our praise, worship and the preaching of the Word of God. I saw and experienced some wonderful things in that small cramped basement.
As the Presence of God increased in the meetings so did the size of the group attending and there were often people listening from the outside steps of the basement that we were in. As the church grew in size we moved into larger and larger buildings until we bought a movie theatre on Kings Highway. From the Basement to the Theatre was approximately 8 years and there was a congregation of 600. The signs and wonders continued as the Love and Message of the Gospel went forth. But, the best was yet to come!

Through the prompting of the Lord, with much prayer and the counsel of my Pastor and my Apostle, my wife and I decided to move with our four young daughters to Long Island, NY to join our self directly with our Apostle and the wonderful work he and his elders were doing on Long Island. We sat for two years and just helped out here and there as needed. The Lord was giving us a rest and a time of reflection.

I then started playing the bass again as well as volunteering for youth church. 18 years latter I am a Pastor here on Long Island. I am also the Vice Principal/Dean of Students for Upper Room Christian School. My wife and I do marriage counseling through the Church's Marriage Team Ministry.

Ministry is service! Service to God and service to mankind. It is the giving of yourself to the Lord and for others. This is the core message of the Gospel. God sent His Son. His Son sent us! The service you do is not as important as the way in which you do it! First we minister in Faith that works through the Revelation of the Love that God has given us to give to others. We do everything AS UNTO THE LORD with all of our effort just like Jesus did. We lay down our life for each other. We believe the best about each other. We edify each other.

Whether you are a janitor, nurse, sanitation worker, lawyer, homemaker, Pastor, or ANY OTHER PROFESSION, God wants to use you as His minister, His ambassador. Second Corinthians says, "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation". And Colossians says, "And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

The best 28 years of my life have been my years of service in God's House in whatever He had need of at the moment. From cleaning toilets, to setting up chairs, to playing bass, to running a coffee house, to making money to fund the move of God, to being a puppeteer, to wrestling with "The Power Team, to Pastoring the most precious people in Queens and on Long Island. And THE BEST IS YET TO COME! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
Grace and Peace,
Ed

Monday, November 26, 2007

Antioxidents


Antioxidents help to protect our bodies from the damaging effects of "free radicals". Some "free radicals" arise normally during metabolism. Sometimes the body’s immune system’s cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also spawn free radicals.

Normally, the body can handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Of particular importance is that free radical damage accumulates with age.

Other chemicals and substances found in natural sources of antioxidants such as fruit and berries may also be responsible for the beneficial effects. So for now, the best way to ensure adequate intake of the antioxidant nutrients is through a balanced diet consisting of 5-8 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Beyond Berries is a supreme blend of Nature’s most nutrient rich fruits and berries. Beyond Berries is the one and only product on the planet that delivers a full, synergistic combination of antioxidant rich concentrated fruits and berries, active enzymes, fulvic minerals and probiotics.
Beyond Berries provides more antioxidant rich fresh fruit and berry concentrates per serving than any other fruit or berry supplement.

Beyond Berries
Does not contain synthetic, isolated or inorganic vitamins and minerals.
Dried at temperatures below 100°F.
Preservative free. Non-pasteurized.
Nutritious and delicious. Tastes Great!
Each serving contains naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, antioxidant compounds, amino acids, enzymes, essential fatty acids, fiber & phytonutrients.
Our proprietary low-temperature drying process concentrates live whole foods and fresh, raw juices into nutrient dense, great tasting, juice powders for the ultimate in all natural, convenient nutrition.
One jar of Beyond Berries live whole food based, instafresh juice makes approximately 180 fluid ounces of juice.

Beyond Berries provides a quality, quantity and variety of ingredients that is superior to synthetic, pasteurized or preserved liquid and powder supplements.†
For optimal convenience in all natural nutrition, there’s nothing better than nutrient rich, non-pasturized, unpreserved, concentrated fruits and berries like those found in Beyond Berries.†

Beyond Berries contains no fillers, additives, excipients, animal products, gluten, dairy, pesticides, chemical residues or GMO.
*Typical ORAC Value: Per suggested use 4,410. Per jar 124,200.

For a risk free sample of Beyond Berries go to http://www.urilife.net/realfoodforlife
Grace and Peace,
Ed


Saturday, November 24, 2007

Pure Barley Juice Powder



Barley Pure provides 100% pure juice powder concentrate from fresh young, certified organic barley grass. Barley grass provides one of the most balanced nutrient profiles of all green plants and is naturally rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, amino acids, glycosylisovitexin, plant proteins, and active enzymes.
Abundant in chlorophyll.
Naturally alkaline.
100% organic whole food nutrition.
Dried at temperatures below 100ยบ F.†
URI International is a manufacturer and supplier of innovative nutritional products with a special emphasis on superior live whole food nutritional products. For over two decades, the Owner of URI International, Uri LeBaron, has passionately pursued the perfection of a proprietary and revolutionary drying technology that preserves the nutritional integrity of fresh, whole foods. Upon reaching this goal, URI International was created to provide a way for millions of people to achieve optimal health through nutrient dense, live whole food nutritional products.
URI International has one focus and one purpose: To continue to provide the highest quality, most effective and affordable whole food nutritional supplements on the market for superior results. Each product contains premium, wholesome and synergistic ingredients that promote optimal health. The quality and value of our exceptional product line has enabled us to experience rapid growth and become recognized as the industry’s premier source for superior, live whole food nutritional products.
Through vertical integration in all phases of product manufacturing, URI International is able to provide you with a freshness, quantity, quality, variety and affordability that is simply unmatched in the industry. From the farm to your home, URI International ensures the quality and potency of every product we sell.
URI International is a strong, ethical and consistent company that is committed to an uncompromised quality, quantity, variety and value that remains unsurpassed by any other company. Our quality and commitment will never be compromised.
Grace and Peace,
Ed

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Nutrition and Uri Life


Today I'd like to discuss the role that URI International's "FEAST" can have on a persons overall health through a natural and organic approach to diet and nutrition. Uri International provides the most superior and complete products on the market today. Products that will help you achieve your potential for optimal health, energy, vitality and longevity.

With nutritional supplementation and health awareness at an all-time high, why have health problems skyrocketed over the last 100 years? What is the secret to enjoying the health and vitality experienced by our forefathers? The answer is simple and indisputable: Live Whole Food Nutrition! For thousands of years, our ancestors received nourishment from whole food sources; Vegetables, berries, seeds, greens, sprouts, fruits, grains and nuts grown in chemical and pesticide free soil – soil that was rich in probiotics, fulvic acid, enzymes and minerals.


In today’s world, our bodies still require the complete balance of pure nutrients and energy provided by live whole foods. The modern demands of our fast-paced world have led to the processing of food to the point of non-nutrition. Authentic food value has been sacrificed for convenience. Natural food has been replaced with chemically modified products that can promote illness and disease. Today we are not only eating food – our food is eating us. In an attempt to counteract the impact of poor nutrition, we supplement our diet with “processed nutrition” in the form of isolated synthetic vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are only slightly more beneficial than the processed foods that created the problem!

The URI solution to the nutritional crisis facing our world is pretty simple … “Back to Basics” Back to a complete balance of live whole-foods, just the way that nature intended for healthy living. Supplementing your diet with URI live whole food nutritional products provide that balance. Feed your body the live whole food nutrition your body knows, Nutrition your body needs.

"THE FEAST" is the One And Only Live Whole Food Product on the planet that delivers a full, synergistic spectrum of:

• 30 Antioxidant Rich Fruits & Berries

• 30 Powerful Greens & Vegetables

• 11 Nutrient Dense Seeds, Nuts & Sprouts

• 83+ Active Enzymes & Fulvic Minerals

• 22 Strains of Resilient Living Probiotics !


"THE FEAST":
Does not contain isolated, synthetic or inorganic vitamins and minerals.
Dried at temperatures below 100°F. Fresh live whole foods to powder concentrate in seconds.
Non-pasteurized. Preservative free.
More variety, quality and quantity than any other concentrated wholefood supplement!
Nutritious and Delicious! Tastes great!
The most powerful, nutrient dense nutritional product on the market today!

Every Scoop Provides:
1000’s of naturally occurring nutritional compounds from fresh wholefood concentrates.
70+ nutrient dense concentrates from fresh live whole foods.
Our proprietary low-temperature drying process concentrates live whole foods and fresh, raw juices into nutrient dense, great tasting, juice powders for the ultimate in all natural convenient nutrition.
All of this in one, all natural, convenient, nutrient dense live whole food based supplement!

Typical ORAC value:
Per Scoop: 1,990. Per 300 Gram Jar: 59,700

"THE FEAST" contains no fillers, dairy, preservatives, additives, excipients, chemical residues, pesticides, animal products or GMO. 100% Vegetarian.


My family and I have been enjoying "THE FEAST" for over 3 months now and we love it! It has increased our energy without the jitters, given us a sense of clarity and overall vitality. We will never again take unnatural, synthetic pills again! And we have the confidence in knowing that we are getting a complete spectrum of organic nutrients from whole fresh food in one great tasting drink.


Grace and Peace,
Ed


Monday, November 19, 2007

Diabetes Prevention


Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common health conditions among older adults. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include hypertension, poor diet, increased body fat, high cholesterol and inadequate physical activity. Proper diet and a regular, moderate exercise program have been shown in recent studies to effectively delay the development of diabetes by up to 71% in people age 60 and over according to the Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Nov.6, 1990.


A diet filled with fresh raw organic vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds, sprouts and legumes, and low in processed foods, sugar and white flour combined with an exercise program that includes stretching, strength and cardio conditioning is the best prevention for most health conditions. While we cannot prevent all illness and disease we CAN eliminate those conditions that are a result of bad life style choices such as smoking, bad diet choices and a sedate lifestyle.


In fact, God created our bodies with a wonderful ability to repair itself if supported by the right lifestyle! It's never too late to begin making small positive changes to your lifestyle that will increase your quality as well as the quantity of your life! Take one thing and change it. For example you can choose something as simple as not adding any salt or sugar to your food or drink. Or, beginning a easy stretching program for 10 minutes a day upon getting up in the morning.


Slow and Steady wins the race! Take one area of your health and make a minor improvement. And continue with one small improvement each week. Before you know it you'll be looking and feeling better. And you will have the good feeling of knowing that you are doing all you can to take care of your body.


Grace and Peace,
Ed






Thursday, November 15, 2007

Super Foods...Blueberries


There is a new buzzword out these days in the field of nutrition called "Super Foods". So what are some "Super Foods" and what makes them so super? That will be my topic for the next few days. While I do not believe that any one food or nutrient or one piece of exercise equipment is sufficient for total health. Optimal health is a product of a combination of disciplines. A good, wholesome Diet filled with Live Raw Whole Foods and lean sources of protein, Exercise at least 6 days for a half hour a day, enough Rest and proper Hydration.


However, there are some foods that pack a "special" nutritional punch and deserve extra attention. One of those foods are blueberries. The blueberry of the genus Vaccinium is a native American species. In fact the blueberry is one of the few fruits native to North America. The Northeast Native American tribes revered blueberries and much folklore developed around them. The blossom end of each berry, the calyx, forms the shape of a perfect five-pointed star; the elders of the tribe would tell of how the Great Spirit sent "star berries" to relieve the children's hunger during a famine. Parts of the blueberry plant were also used as medicine. A tea made from the leaves of the plant was thought to be good for the blood. Blueberry juice was used to treat coughs. The juice also made an excellent dye for baskets and cloth. In food preparation, dried blueberries were added to stews, soups and meats. The dried berries were also crushed into a powder and rubbed into meat for flavor. Blueberries were also used for medicinal purposes along with the leaves and roots.


Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals and the chronic diseases associated with the aging process. Fresh fruits, including blueberries, and vegetables contain many of these naturally occurring antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E. Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries. In addition, blueberries contain anthocyanins and phenolics that can also act as antioxidants. Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA), blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity with a very high ORAC value.


We eat different colors of vegetables and fruit because the colors of the fruits and vegetables determine the healthiness of the various foods. Blueberries, for example, are dark in color and are filled with nutrients—almost more than any other food. Blueberries are felt to have anti-cancer properties, powerful antioxidant properties and might actually prevent cancers from occurring in the first place.


While blueberries are thought to possibly help prevent cancer, they are also being researched for other health benefits. One of those health benefits found is in the area of brain protection and the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of memory loss. One other benefit is that of enhancing the function of the urinary system. This versatile berry has also been studied to see if it can help set back the aging process.


So, while there is no "wonder food" that will solve all of our health challenges. The blueberry can certainly be classified as a "Super Food". One of many that we should ingest daily.


Grace and Peace,
Ed







Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Meditation


Joshua Chapter 1 and verse 8 says, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Meditation is an important part of life. A time for reflection and projection.

The first Psalm says, " Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Psalm 63 says, " My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me". Beautiful! What soothing and encouraging words!
Actually the book of psalms has over 19 references to meditation. That was David's strength! He would meditate and write inspirational songs and poems. And what a life he had! Take time to meditate on the goodness of God each day. Take time to empty your mind of the cares of this world. Take time to refocus on the important things in life, our relationship with God, our relationship with our family, friends and community and our service to God and His Church.

Psalm 145:5 " On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate."

Grace and Peace,
Ed

This brief study was done with Logos Bible Software. E-mail me at Rjonodde@aol.com for a 25% discount on one of their powerful packages!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Veterans Day


Today's post is for all of the veterans and present service men and women who have and continue to fight for freedom. While I enjoyed the day off watching TV with my wife, making macaroni with meat sauce and shopping at Costco, service men and women went on patrol, cleaned their weapons and prepared for battle.

The show I watched today was "Hamburger Hill". It is the story of a relentless group of Army Paratroopers who fought for 10 days straight to secure a hill in Vietnam. While war should never become popular the soldiers fighting in that war had enemies when they came home as well! As a line in the movie said, "The love generation loves everyone but us!"

In order for there to be war there must be two sides in disagreement. I can see how a person can form an opinion of what, when, how, where and why we're fighting and if we are correct but if it were not for those men and women who were willing to lay down their lives for our country where would we and the rest of this world be?

I thank God that I live in the United States! I thank God that we have a strong military! I thank God that hundred's of thousand's of men and women have given and continue to give their lives for us back home and that freedom and democracy will always have a voice as long as great men and women like those in the United States Armed Forces continue to lay down their lives without question for this great country.

While I am not a nationalist, I firmly believe in Freedom and Democracy! I believe that America, while not perfect, has the best economic and political system in the world. With the emergence of the Internet and other modern day technologies, it is my hope and prayer that as people increase their communication with each other that Veterans Day will be a day of remembrance only and that we will all be able to look back on what got us to the place of peace on earth!

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Exercise is Important!


Exercise is necessary due to our modern sedate lifestyle. The expression use it or loose it is so true! With all three aspects of our being our spirits, our minds and our bodies need to be used each day or they begin to atrophy (loose prior ability). As we get more and more technologically advanced the need for an efficient daily exercise program becomes more and more necessary.
As stated in previous posts, there are three components to a good exercise program. They are stretching or flexibility, strength and cardio-vascular. All three of these components can be exercised at home, on the road or at the gym. The location is a matter of personal preference. As with diet, the best exercise plan is the one you stick to!
When stretching I use a head to toe approach. Starting with neck stretches I move down to shoulder rolls then to trunk twisters and side benders to touching the floor with my fingers to holding my ankles to stretch the Quads and leaning against the wall to stretch the calves. I also get on my back and stretch my mid-section and sit up to stretch the inside of my legs. Then its over on the stomach to do a few superman stretches and to stretch the outside of my legs while on alternating sides.

For strength I use dumbbells, chairs, isometric and isotonic exercises. With the dumbbells I can work my shoulders, triceps, biceps, deltoids, trapezoids, and pecs. I also do strict squats with the dumbbells for my legs. The chairs can be used for various push ups, dips and sit ups. I also put one muscle against another in pushing and pulling exercises.

For cardio I either walk or ride my bike. I like to do my cardio outside to take advantage of the fresh air and sunshine. I also listen to the Bible while walking or riding and I meditate on the Word of God as I exercise. In today's world it seems like you don't have enough time for everything unless you multitask! So get creative!

Remember, we must take care of our bodies or they will deteriorate faster than they should. Pay now or pay later! Take the time necessary to work out for a half hour to an hour a day. Split the workout between the three components even though you will like like one more than another. Also, use your exercise time to remind you to drink plenty of good drinking water! Seek medical advice if you have any health problems or concerns.

Grace and Peace,
Ed


Saturday, November 10, 2007

Healthy Snacks


Serving healthy snacks is important to providing good nutrition, supporting lifelong healthy eating habits, and helping to prevent costly and potentially-disabling diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Most of the snacks we eat should be fruits and vegetables, since most of us do not eat the recommended five to thirteen servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Eating fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables also contain important nutrients like enzymes, vitamins and fiber. Serving fresh organic fruits and vegetables can seem challenging. However, good planning and smart shopping can make it easier.

Though some think fruits and vegetables are costly snacks, they are actually less costly than many other less-healthful snacks on a per-serving basis. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average cost of a serving of fruit or vegetable (all types – fresh, frozen, and canned) is 25 cents per serving. This is a good deal compared with a 69-cent single-serve bag of potato chips or an 80-cent candy bar. Try lots of different fruits and vegetables you like best.

Here are some examples of healthy fruit snack ideas:

Apples
Apricots
Bananas
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Grapefruit
Grapes
Honeydew Melon
Kiwis
Mandarin Oranges
Mangoes
Nectarines
Oranges
Peaches
Pears
Pineapple
Plums
Raspberries
Strawberries
Tangerines
Watermelon
Applesauce
(unsweetened applesauce include Mott’s Natural Style and Mott’s
Healthy Harvest line.)
Dried Fruit - Try raisins, apricots, apples, cranberries, pineapple, papaya, and
others with no added sugars.
Frozen Fruit – Try freezing grapes or buy frozen blueberries, strawberries,
peaches, mangoes, and melon.
Fruit Leathers – Try Natural Value Fruit Leathers and Stretch Island Fruit Leathers, which come in a variety of flavors and don’t have added sugars.
Popsicles – Look for popsicles made from 100% fruit juice with no added caloric sweeteners, such as Breyers or Dole “No Sugar Added” fruit bars.
Smoothies – Blend "The Feast" or "Beyond Berries" with juice, yogurt or milk, and ice. Many store-made smoothies have added sugars and are not healthy choices.
Deliveries – Deliveries of fresh fruit or platters of cut-up fruit are a convenient option offered by some local grocery stores.
Vegetables can be served raw with dip or salad dressing:

Broccoli
Carrot sticks or
Baby Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery Sticks
Cucumber
Peppers
Snap Peas
Snow Peas
String Beans
Tomato slices or grape or cherry tomatoes
Yellow Summer
Squash slices
Zucchini slices

Dips – Try low-fat salad dressings, like fat-free Ranch or
Thousand Island, store-bought light dips, bean dips,
guacamole, hummus (which comes in dozens of flavors),
salsa, pesto, or peanut butter.

If you'd like to try a sample of the Feast or Beyond Berries just go to my site at http://www.urilife.net/realfoodforlife . Remember, add more fresh, organic unprocessed, whole foods and less processed, genetically engineered, mass produced "fast food"!

Live Food for Live People!
Grace and Peace,
Ed

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Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Aging


The lifestyle choices found to be most influential on extending life expectancy are:

Physical activity (about 30 minutes daily), found to be the single greatest protector against death, lowering risk by37%

Refraining from smoking, cutting the risk by 35%

Following a diet high in fruit, vegetables, and fish, and low in red meat and dairy products (“Mediterranean diet”), reducing risk by 23%

Moderate alcohol consumption (about 4 glasses of wine or equivalent per week), lowering risk of death by 22%

Several researchers have found in their studies that when older persons adopted all four of these measures, their risk of dying was 65% lower over 10 years!

Greater


I woke up about an hour ago and the word greater kept reverberating in my mind. Being a Christian, I knew that the Lord was wanting to speak to me. So I turned my attention to Him and He began to speak to me through the Scriptures.

The first scripture that came to mind was, "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." For he who is in you is greater! Greater........larger, stronger, better, predominate, preeminent,! Greater is He who is IN you.

In John 14 Jesus said, " “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." And in Acts we read, " This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing." You see, after Jesus was crucified, died and was buried He rose from the dead and ascended back to the Father. Upon completing His Holy sacrifice and atoning for our sin He sat down and the right hand of God. And the best part is that He did not leave us comfortless or without His Presence!

God sent His Holy Spirit to live and dwell in every believer! The same Spirit that was in Christ is in those of us who believe. The Greater One living inside! Leading, guiding, empowering, changing us into the image and likeness of His Son Jesus. Filling us with knowledge, wisdom and authority. Paul writes to the believers in Corinth, " Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" And again, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?"

As Christians, let us strive to enter into the rest that God has provided for us through His Son Jesus Christ and the active present day ministry of the Holy Spirit. Let us glorify God in our bodies and let us glorify God in His body His Church. By acknowledging the very presence of the Holy Spirit in our life and seeking His direction and leading in the context of our every day lives we will see the glory of God manifest in and through us in ways we couldn't even imagine!

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1Cor.2:9

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Thanks again to Logos software the best Bible software around!
E-mail me for a 25% discount on Logos! Rjonodde@aol.com


Monday, November 5, 2007

Acid vs Alkaline


Human blood pH should be slightly alkaline ( 7.35 - 7.45 ). Below or above this range means symptoms and disease. A pH of 7.0 is neutral. A pH below 7.0 is acidic. A pH above 7.0 is alkaline.
An acidic pH can occur from, an acid forming diet, emotional stress, toxic overload, and/or immune reactions or any process that deprives the cells of oxygen and other nutrients. The body will try to compensate for acidic pH by using alkaline minerals. If the diet does not contain enough minerals to compensate, a build up of acids in the cells will occur.
An acidic balance will: decrease the body's ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decrease the energy production in the cells, decrease it's ability to repair damaged cells, decrease it's ability to detoxify heavy metals, make tumor cells thrive, and make it more susceptible to fatigue and illness. A blood pH of 6.9, which is only slightly acidic, can induce coma and death.
The reason acidosis is more common in our society is mostly due to the typical American diet, which is far too high in acid producing animal products like meat, eggs and dairy, and far too low in alkaline producing foods like fresh vegetables. Additionally, we eat acid producing processed foods like white flour and sugar and drink acid producing beverages like coffee and soft drinks. We use too many drugs, which are acid forming; and we use artificial chemical sweeteners like NutraSweet, Spoonful, Sweet 'N Low, Equal, or Aspartame, which are poison and extremely acid forming. One of the best things we can do to correct an overly acid body is to clean up the diet and lifestyle.
To maintain health, the diet should consist of 60% alkaline forming foods and 40% acid forming foods. To restore health, the diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods.
Generally speaking, alkaline forming foods include: most fruits, green vegetables, peas, beans, lentils, spices, herbs and seasonings, and seeds and nuts.Generally, acid forming foods include: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, grains, and legumes.
Foods are classified as acid-forming or alkalizing depending on the effect they have on the body. An acid-forming food contributes hydrogen ions to the body, making it more acidic. An alkalizing food removes hydrogen ions from the body, making it more alkaline. It is important to note that this classification is based on the effect foods have on the body after digestion, not on their own intrinsic acidity or alkalinity (or how they taste to us).
A common misconception is that if a food tastes acidic, it has an acid-forming effect on the body. This is not necessarily true. Very often, an acidic-tasting food is alkalizing. Citric fruits are a good example. People say that lemons, for example, are "too acidic"; however, they are actually alkalizing because the minerals they leave behind after digestion help remove hydrogen ions, decreasing the acidity of the body. (Many people use the term "residue" or "ash" to explain the effect of a food on the body. A food with an acid ash after digestion contributes hydrogen ions, making the body more acidic; a food with an alkaline ash after digestion removes hydrogen ions, making the body more alkaline.)
Another misconception is that acid-forming foods are "bad." This is not correct; acidity and alkalinity are opposites and one is not intrinsically better than the other. This misconception has developed because the North American diet is excessively acidic, which does result in health problems.
Once again we can see the benefit of a diet loaded with live fresh organic fruits and vegetables served as raw as possible. Also note the dangers of white sugar and white flour. Not only do they have empty calories but they are acid forming and a real detriment to our quest for optimal health.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Carbohydrates, Protein and Fat


Our diets are made up of Carbohydrates, Protein and Fat. Within these three categories there are "good" and "bad" choices. So after we determine the proper amount of total calories we should consume, based on our unique metabolism and life style, we then need to decide how to divide those calories between Carbohydrates, Protein and Fat.

The are plenty of websites and software that can help with these calculations. I use "Balance Log" by Health Tech. You put in your vital statistics and the program helps you choose your foods and monitor your complete diet and exercise plan. The advantage of using a program or website is it maintains your focus and provides you we immediate information and feedback.

Each of us will respond differently to the balance of Carbs, Protein and Fat so we must monitor and tailor or program to meet our unique situation. The advantage of building a program like this is that it is a lifestyle not a temporary diet. It is a means of monitoring what you eat and how it affects your body.

The choice of Carbs, Protein and Fat is also important. I try to stay away from solid animal fat and other fats choosing to go mostly with olive oil. I also choose lean sources of protein. Mostly chicken, eggs, and whey protein. However, I can't resist a good T-bone once a week! With Carbohydrates, choose low sugar and starch Carbs. Stay away from refined sugar and flour. And drink plenty of good pure water!

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Friday, November 2, 2007

ORAC Value


It's radical man!

Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd (unpaired) number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Once formed these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction, like dominoes. Their chief danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA, or the cell membrane. Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs. To prevent free radical damage the body has a defense system of antioxidants.

Antioxidants are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. The body cannot manufacture these antioxidants so they must be supplied in the diet. Dietary antioxidants, when ingested, can protect cells in the body from oxidation's harmful effects.

ORAC values refer to the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity of a food, as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By testing the ability of foods and other compounds to subdue oxygen free radicals, the DOA was able to determine each compound's antioxidant capability. It's a scale measuring the level of antioxidant value of a compound.

Studies at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston suggest that consuming fruits and vegetables with a high-ORAC value may help slow the aging process in both body and brain. Early evidence indicates that this antioxidant activity translates to animals, protecting cells and their components from oxidative damage.

Science has long held that damage by oxygen free radicals is behind many of the maladies that come with aging, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. There's firm evidence that a high intake of fruits and vegetables reduces risk of cancer and that a low intake raises risk. And there is recent evidence that suggests that diminished brain function associated with aging and other disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases may be due to increased vulnerability to free radicals, says.

So another aspect of health is to eat plenty of raw organic fruits and vegetables! High in fiber, high in ORAC value, filled with natural goodness! Raw and fresh is the best! Seek to get a minimum ORAC value of 3,000 per day. Some reports say we can benefit from 7,000 per day! Keep drinking good water, exercise, get enough rest and stay away from calories that have no nutritional value!

Grace and Peace,

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These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. This blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. You should consult with your medical professional before beginning any diet or exercise program!

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