Raw Granola Bar Recipe

Raw Granola Bars
My daughter, Riley, made up this recipe and the kids (and the hubby)
think it's great, so I thought I'd share it with you all!
Mix (If needed melt over very low heat on the stove)
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup peanut butter
Add 1 tsp vanilla to mixture

In a bowl, blend:
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup raw coarsely chopped almonds
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup raw pistachios
1/4 cup raw macadamia nuts
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cashews
(Replace any 1/4 cup nuts with coconut flakes or with other raw seeds/nuts)

Add wet ingredients to dry, blend well and press into a greased 9x9 in pan
Refrigerate then cut into bars.

Make up several batches and cut into squares and freeze, good for on the go hearty snack to tie you over on a trip.

My Nutrition Summary

I was recently asked to summarize my nutritional beliefs.
There is an incredible amount of confusing and conflicting ideas and beliefs about nutrition. After my study about nutrition, based on my understanding (and prayer) these are my thoughts:

*Eat meat only in times of cold/winter or in famine.
Therefore, those living in Russia would eat more flesh than those living in Mexico. In times of cold-- fish is better than turkey or chicken, and the latter is better than red meats.

*Dairy products do not benefit the body and are never needed for nutrition. In fact, I believe that they will damage the body (especially pasteurized, hormone and antibiotic-filled products.)

*Eat whole, unprocessed plant foods. Raw is best. The more raw foods in the diet, the better.
*Eat a variety of foods. (Colors reflect nutrients--eat all the colors of the rainbow.)
*Focus mostly on green, leafy vegetables. These contain the most nutrients our bodies need.

*Wheat is the staff of life. Staff means an aid. Wheat shouldn't actually be the bulk of our diet, but the support.

*Some oil is needed for the body to properly function. (This is where I disagree with Dr.McDougall--He believes that we should have no added fats.) Not much, just a few tablespoons a day--that's all.

*Processed soy foods (although good transition foods) should not be included in the diet. (Although whole soy, adamame, is a good source of nutrients.)

*Nuts and seeds are wonderful foods to include in your diet--in their raw state. They are even more beneficial when combined with green, leafy vegetables.

*Limited natural, sea-salt can be used.

*Taste-buds can change and will enjoy more natural foods when trained in that fashion.



A friend of ours Brian Mecham ( http://www.latterdayconservative.com/ ) , recently sent us these quotes about healing that were worth sharing with you:


1.

D&C 42:43–44, 9 February 1831
And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nourished with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food, and that not by the hand of an enemy.
And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me. [The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A.: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1989), p. 73.]

2.

Joseph Smith Jr., President of the Church, 5 September 1841
I preached to a large congregation at the stand, on the science and practice of medicine, desiring to persuade the Saints to trust in God when sick, and not in the arm of flesh, and live by faith and not by medicine, or poison; and when they were sick, and had called for the Elders to pray for them, and they were not healed, to use herbs and mild food. [History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, vol. 4, intro. and notes by B. H. Roberts, second edition revised (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Deseret Book Company, 1976), p. 414.]

3.

Orson Pratt of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 8 August 1880
When our human machinery is out of order, [the Lord] understands all about it; and he is the best physician that can be employed; and he also can be employed without money and without price. He imparts to this machinery his Holy Spirit which circulates through the whole body, and promotes health and strength in the individual. But how apt we are to apply to inferior physicians. As soon as something ails this mortal tabernacle, the cry is, “Oh, mother, or husband, will you send for the doctor. My son is very sick, and we need the doctor.” Now this is sometimes the way with those who call themselves Latter-day Saints, but they ought to be ashamed that they do not honor the name which they have taken upon themselves. The Lord has ordained that when you are sick, you should apply the simple ordinance of the laying on of hands, or the anointing with oil by his servants in the name of Jesus Christ. In this ordinance there is more power than in all the medical ability in the world; for there are many diseases which baffle the skill of the wisest physicians, while by the laying on of the hands of the servants of God—not in their own name, but in the name of Jesus Christ—according to the directions given in the Scriptures, we have the promise that they shall be healed; that is, if they are not appointed unto death. [“Man to Be Judged by Law—A Law Given to All Things—The Law of Gravitation—How It Varies by Distance—Law of Projection—Law of Elliptic Forms, Having the Same Length of Year—Law of Orbital Velocity—Its Variations Depending on Distance—Wise Adaptation—Intelligent Selections of Law—Laws of Nature Counteracted,” reported by John Irvine, Journal of Discourses, vol. 21 (Liverpool: Albert Carrington, 1881), p. 239.]

4.

Brigham Young, President of the Church, 9 October 1872
Would you want doctors? Yes, to set bones. We should want a good surgeon for that, or to cut off a limb. But do you want doctors? For not much of anything else, let me tell you, only the traditions of the people lead them to think so; and here is a growing evil in our midst. It will be so in a little time that not a woman in all Israel will dare to have a baby unless she can have a doctor by her. I will tell you what to do, you ladies, when you find you are going to have an increase, go off into some country where you cannot call for a doctor, and see if you can keep it. I guess you will have it, and I guess it will be all right, too. Now the cry is, “Send for a doctor.” If you have a pain in the head, “Send for a doctor;” if your heel aches, “I want a doctor;” “my back aches, and I want a doctor.” The study and practice of anatomy and surgery are very good; they are mechanical, and are frequently needed. Do you not think it is necessary to give medicine sometimes? Yes, but I would rather have a wife of mine that knows what medicine to give me when I am sick, than all the professional doctors in the world. Now let me tell you about doctoring, because I am acquainted with it, and know just exactly what constitutes a good doctor in physic. It is that man or woman who, by revelation, or we may call it intuitive inspiration, is capable of administering medicine to assist the human system when it is besieged by the enemy called Disease; but if they have not that manifestation, they had better let the sick person alone. I will tell you why: I can see the faces of this congregation, but I do not see two alike: and if I could look into your nervous systems and behold the operations of disease, from the crowns of your heads to the soles of your feet, I should behold the same difference that I see in your physiognomy—there would be no two precisely alike. Doctors make experiments, and if they find a medicine that will have the desired effect on one person, they set it down that it is good for everybody, but it is not so, for upon the second person that medicine is administered to, seemingly with the same disease, it might produce death. If you do not know this, you have not had the experience that I have. I say that unless a man or woman who administers medicine to assist the human system to overcome disease, understands, and has that intuitive knowledge, by the Spirit, that such an article is good for that individual at that very time, they had better let him alone. Let the sick do without eating, take a little of something to cleanse the stomach, bowels and blood, and wait patiently, and let Nature have time to gain the advantage over the disease. . . . Ladies and gentlemen, you may take any country in the world, I do not care where you go, and if they do not employ doctors, you will find they will beat communities that employ them, all the time. Who is the real doctor? That man who knows by the Spirit of revelation what ails an individual, and by the same Spirit knows what medicine to administer. That is the real doctor, the others are quacks. [“The Order of Enoch,” reported by David W. Evans, Journal of Discourses, vol. 15 (Liverpool: Albert Carrington, 1873), pp. 225–26.]

5.

Joseph Young of the First Quorum of the Seventy, 3 January 1858
There is a class of people here that do not believe in sustaining professional doctors. I am one of them. There is a certain class of people, again, in this community, when they are sick, the very first motion they make is to call upon a doctor as quick as possible. Which of these two classes are right? Neither of them. I will not say that I would not send for a doctor in some instances, for example, to perform some difficult surgical operation, if I knew he was a good surgeon; then there are instances of sickness in which I would not send for a doctor, because I understand the nature of the disease and I now how to treat it, as well and better, perhaps, than any doctor, and, aided by the blessing of the Lord, I can check it, and that is my duty. But, if I have the Spirit of God dwelling in me, my tabernacle is not very apt to be diseased. [In John Heinerman, Joseph Smith and Herbal Medicine (Monrovia, California: Majority of One Press, 1975), chapter 7.]

6.

George Q. Cannon and Brigham Young Jr. of theQuorum of the Twelve Apostles, 15 October 1877
If objection is raised against the laying on of hands because its effects are not uniform in every case, the poet’s advice, “Throw physic to the dogs” should be followed, for there is nothing more uncertain than the results of medical treatment, and we should therefore use no drugs and fee no doctors. [“The Ordinance for the Sick,” The Deseret News, vol. 26, no. 33 (Salt Lake City: George Q. Cannon & Brigham Young Jr., 19 Sept. 1877), p. 518.]

7.

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 19 August 1846
If you are sick, live by faith, and let surgeon’s medicine alone if you want to live, using only such herbs and mild food as are at your disposal. If you give heed to this counsel, you will prosper; but if not, we cannot be responsible for the consequences. A hint to the wise is sufficient. [“Letter to the Mormon Battalion,” Messages of the First Presidency, edited by James R. Clark, vol. 1 (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft Inc., 1965), p. 302.]

8.

Brigham Young, President of the Church, 31 August 1875
It is the duty of every father and mother to live so that they may have the mind and will of the Lord concerning their duties to their families. If they are not called to exercise the priesthood which they hold, more than to administer to their children, it is their duty to live so as to know how to teach, lead and advise their children; and if they are disposed they may have the privilege, for it is God’s mind and will that they should know just what to do for them when they are sick. Instead of calling for a doctor you should administer to them by the laying on of hands and anointing with oil, and give them mild food, and herbs, and medicines that you understand; and if you want the mind and will of God at such a time, get it, it is just as much your privilege as of any other member of the Church and kingdom of God. [“Present Revelation Necessary to Lead the Church—The Apostleship—Present Revelation Necessary for All—Evils of Waste, Intemperance, and Extravagance—True Reformation Is to Cease from Doing Evil,” reported by David W. Evans, Journal of Discourses, vol. 18 (Liverpool: Joseph F. Smith, 1877), pp. 71–72.]

9.

George Q. Cannon, First Counselor in the First Presidency, 26 Aug. 1894
Many of us have not faith enough even to send for the Elders of the Church when any one of our family is sick; but the first thought is, “go for a doctor!”—as though the gift of healing had been lost in the Church. How many of you feel as if the gift of healing no longer existed in the Church of Christ but that doctors must be sent for and drugs administered? And this among the Latter-day Saints, a people who profess what we do and to whom such glorious promises have been made!
I am scarcely ever called in to administer to a sick person without being told what the doctor is doing and what he says. To me, it is an evidence of a want of faith in the ordinances of God’s house and in His promises. To think of a people with the promise made to them that their sick shall be healed, if they will only exercise faith, neglecting this and treating it as though there was no certainty to be attached to it!
It is the same in other directions. We fail to set a proper example before our young people. If I were to send for a doctor, what would be the effect upon my children? Why, they would say, “That is the course my father took, and he is an Eider in the Church and a man of experience; he sent for the doctors, and why should not I? My mother was a good woman, but when one of the children was sick, she sent for a doctor; she did not trust to the ordinance alone; and shall we not send for a doctor? Must it all be faith and no works?” How often do we hear this sort of reasoning?
I believe in works; I believe in nursing, in taking care of the sick and in doing all that is possible for them; but I believe also in the ordinances of the house of God. God has made precious promises to the Latter-day Saints concerning the health of their families, and I tell you, in the presence of the Lord, that if the Latter-day Saints would observe the Word of Wisdom there would be less of this disposition to send for doctors and more faith in the ordinances that the Lord has established. [Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of George Q. Cannon; selected, arranged, and edited by Jerreld L. Newquist (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1987), p. 425; see also Deseret Weekly, vol. 49, p. 450.]

10.

Joseph Smith Jr., President of the Church, 13 April 1843
The doctors in this region don’t know much. . . . Doctors won’t tell you where to go to be well; they want to kill or cure you, to get your money. [History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, vol. 5, intro. and notes by B. H. Roberts (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Deseret Book Company, 1980), p. 357.]

11.

George Q. Cannon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 26 March 1888
Speaking about faith-cures, I have felt deeply impressed with the idea that the members of our Church do not value as they should the means which God has placed within their reach for the relief and healing of the sick.
There is too great a disposition, when sickness enters a household, to send for a doctor. Occasional appeals will be made to the Elders to come and administer, but the two methods are too frequently united—the doctor on the one hand and the Elders on the other.
The experience of those who put their trust in the Lord, and who with careful nursing unite the administering of the ordinance, goes to prove that the Lord has not forgotten His promises. Instances are very common among the faithful Saints of the gift of healing being manifested in a very wonderful manner.
In the breasts of our children, especially, the greatest care should be taken to inculcate faith in this heavenly ordinance. Where children are thus taught, it is remarkable how strong their faith becomes.
I know of children who could not consent to have a doctor come near them. If anything ails them or their brothers and sisters, they insist on the Elders being sent for.
Where such faith prevails, the happiest results follow the application to the Elders to administer. . . .
God has not forgotten His promises, and He has not withdrawn Himself from His people. But the Latter-day Saints should make use of these means more frequently than they do, and put more trust in God and less in man’s skill. [“Doctrines of the Gospel Spreading,” The Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, vol. 50, no. 13 (Liverpool: George Teasdale, 26 March 1888), p. 194–95.]

12.

Lorenzo Snow of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 6 May 1882
When our friends are stricken down by sickness and disease, or when our little ones are in the agonies of pain and death, there should be Elders in our midst who have educated themselves so thoroughly in developing the gifts of the Spirit within them, and in whom the Saints have such perfect confidence, that they would always be sought after instead of doctors. There are men among us who possess the gift of healing, and might have great faith; but they do not exercise the gift, they do not live for it, and, therefore, do not have the power to use it so effectually as they might. There are men in this Church who are as good in their hearts and feelings as men ever were, but lack faith and energy, and do not obtain really what it is their privilege to receive. If their faith, their energy and determination were equal to their good feelings and desires, their honesty and goodness, they would indeed be mighty men in Israel; and sickness and disease and the power of the evil one would flee before them as chaff before the wind. [“The Establishment of Character—Traits That Are Admirable—How to Have Influence With Heaven—Why Men Should Do Right—The Cultivation of Spiritual Gifts—The Things of God Must Be Sought After—Fasting, Prayer, Devotion and Sacrifice,” reported by George F. Gibbs, Journal of Discourses, vol. 23 (Liverpool: John Henry Smith, 1883), p. 194.]

13.

Spencer W. Kimball, President of the Church, October 1981
Instantaneous healings are numerous and range into the areas of sight, hearing, lameness, internal organs, skin, bones, and all parts of the body. Incurable diseases have been healed. We are grateful beyond expression for the great skill and accumulated knowledge possessed by our physicians, but it must be that numerous healings credited to doctors and hospitals have been the healing of the Lord through the priesthood and by prayer. We are generally too ready to give the credit to the physician when at best his was but a contribution, small or large.
It must be remembered that no physician can heal. He can only provide a satisfactory environment and situation so that the body may use its own God-given power of re-creation to build itself. Bones can be straightened, germs can be killed, sutures can close wounds, and skillful fingers can open and close bodies; but no man yet has found a way to actually heal. Man is the offspring of God and has within him the re-creating power that is God-given. And through the priesthood and through prayer, the body’s healing processes can be speeded and encouraged. Again, how grateful we are for the skill and patience and understanding of our great men who are trained to give us such marvelous service.
There are many who run to the doctor first and then go later to the elders when all other hope is gone. Elders are often called to the hospital to administer after the medical profession has done all it can. Then when the ill one is on his way to recovery, his recovery is credited to the scientist; or in case of death, some wonder why the priesthood did not heal him. It must be remembered that whether the Lord sees fit to heal instantaneously or gradually, whether it be through surgery and treatment or without it, the healing is still the Lord’s miracle. While the profession has worked hard to gain the accumulated knowledge of today, it must be remembered that He who created our bodies has known since the beginning how to remodel, re-create, and repair them. [“President Kimball Speaks Out on Administration to the Sick,” New Era, vol. 11, no. 9 (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oct. 1981), pp. 48–49.]

14.

George Q. Cannon, First Counselor in the First Presidency, 1 Nov. 1893
There is another tendency that is very noticeable among Latter-day Saints, and against which the voices of the servants of God should be lifted in continued protest, and that is the inclination that seems to be growing everywhere to resort to drugs and doctors when sickness enters the household, instead of having recourse to the means which God has commended His people to use. The laying on of hands for the healing of the sick is an ordinance of the Gospel. One of the signs which the Lord Jesus Himself promised His disciples in ancient days that should follow them that believed was, “they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:18.) In our day the promise has been renewed, and we can claim it. . . .
Many, however, fail to avail themselves of these promises, and excuse themselves for doing so by saying that faith without works is dead. They seem to think that works consist in sending for a doctor and using what he may prescribe, having apparently more faith in man’s skill than in God’s power to heal through the ordinance which He has appointed.
In saying this we would not wish to convey any wrong idea. We believe it to be the duty of those who have sick in their households to do all in their power for their comfort, to nurse them with the greatest possible care and to use what skill they may have in that direction, asking the Lord to bless the means which they use and also to inspire those who may have to wait upon the sick to do the very thing for them that will be of the greatest advantage. In this way works can be united with faith, and the ordinance of the Gospel can be used. . . .
It is only reasonable to think that the Lord knows better that which is good for us than man does. His power to heal is without limit. He desires His children to exercise faith. By its exercise great blessings can be obtained. The more it is exercised and the oftener the results which are desired are obtained the stronger does faith become.
Children who are taught by their parents to desire the laying on of hands by the Elders when they are sick receive astonishing benefits therefrom, and their faith becomes exceedingly strong. But, if instead of teaching them that the Lord has placed the ordinance of laying on of hands for the healing of the sick in His Church, a doctor is immediately sent for when anything ails them, they gain confidence in the doctor and his prescriptions and lose faith in the ordinance.
How long would it take, if this tendency were allowed to grow among the Latter-day Saints, before faith in the ordinance of laying on of hands would die out? Little by little the practice of using drugs and resorting to men and women skilled in their use would grow among the people, until those who had sick children or other relatives who did not send for a doctor when they were attacked with a sickness would be looked upon as heartless and cruel. Perhaps they would be taunted for not sending for some skilled person and perchance be condemned for trusting entirely to the ordinance of the Gospel and the proper nursing and kind attentions which every person who is sick should receive.
There is great need of stirring up the Latter-day Saints upon this point. Faith should be encouraged. The people should be taught that great and mighty works can be accomplished by the exercise of faith. The sick have been healed, devils have been cast out, the blind have been restored to sight, the deaf have been made to hear, lameness has been cured and even the dead have been raised to life by the exercise of faith. And this, too, in our day and in our Church by the administration of God’s servants in the way appointed. All these things can again be done, under the blessing of the Lord, where faith exists. It is this faith that we should seek to preserve and to promote in the breasts of our children and of all mankind. [Juvenile Instructor, vol. 28, 1 Nov. 1893 (Salt Lake City: George Q. Cannon), pp. 669–70.]

15.

Abraham H. Cannon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
It is the doctors, however, and their erroneous practice that I desire more especially to write at present. The time was in the territory when physicians numbered but few and the families were limited wherein their services were required. At present the conditions are changed, and nearly every family residing in the neighborhood of a doctor are visited to a greater or lesser extent by him. The general experience is similar to that of a prominent man in one of our stakes as expressed to us recently: “A short time ago we had no physician in our stake and it was rarely that we felt the lack of one but since one located among us sickness has increased so rapidly that we can now keep two such professionals going night and day to answer calls.”
If it is true that the hosts of doctors now in our midst find remunerative practice, then there must be some censure, due to the Saints, for a disregard of the Lord’s counsel. For there certainly has been an increase of disease and a consequent greater demand for medical services all out of proportion to the increase of population.
I have no doubt that we should very soon become a healthy and strong people if we would strictly follow the suggestions contained in the Word of Wisdom and the ordinary rules of health which common sense suggests; and then exercise faith in the ordinances of the gospel for the benefit of the afflicted, instead of sending for a doctor the moment we feel indisposed. This latter course shows a lack of faith. But unbelief is natural where disobedience has been practiced. . . . It is a shame to us as a people that we neglect, as many of us do, the gifts of healing and the gift to be healed which the Lord has so mercifully given to us. It is a disgrace that many possessing a mere smattering of medical knowledge and can speedily obtain a practice netting annually thousands of dollars, while the great Giver of life, who knows how to provide every organ of the body is unsought in the hour of sickness. It is a standing reproach to us, we still place more reliance on the skill and knowledge of man, than on the power of God. [In John Heinerman, Joseph Smith and Herbal Medicine (Monrovia, California: Majority of One Press, 1975), chapter 8.]

16.

Susa Young Gates, August 1914
The custom of appealing to physicians for medical assistance in all cases of sickness has become as prevalent even among the L.D.S., that faith in the healing of the sick has been measurably relegated to the rear. It is true, we still send for the elders, but the physician is, or will be, in the house as well, and we are apt to rely more upon his skill than upon the administration of the Priesthood. While if there is a return of health, we are pretty sure to give the credit to the physician. This people are not narrow in their views on the subject of physicians, but we must sound a warning cry in the ears of the women of the Relief Society, that they fail not in their duty to teach lessons of faith in God and in the laying on of hands for the healing of the sick, to their families.
In the rise of this church, faith was the one and only recourse in all cases of sickness and disease. Simple remedies were administered and were perhaps a part of the household equipment. But the bottle of consecrated oil occupied the most prominent place in the sick rooms of the Latter-day Saints. The pages of the old Millennial Star teemed with the cases of miraculous healings under the hands of the Elders. Who is among this people from time to time? Is there any lack of power in the Priesthood? On the contrary, there has probably never been more power and efficacy in the united ranks of the priesthood than at the present time. What, then, may be the difference? It is an entirely individual trouble. You and I, dear sister, may be at fault. The moment we are sick, do we take a remedy or hunt up a physician? And if we hear of a neighbor who has been taken ill, is our first question, who is the doctor, or what does the doctor say? Too much of our time in social affairs is spent in discussing medical problems and medical treatment. The children hear all this and consequently when they are sick their first thought is not to inquire for a spoonful of consecrated oil, but to lean upon the doctor and his advice.
If we are to retain the established principle of faith for the healing of the sick, we must work at it as we would at any other principle or doctrine which we wish to make a part of our lives. Whenever the need arises with ourselves, or with our dear ones, then call in the Elders, as we are told to do so in the scriptures. . . . The Lord will surely heal us if we surely call. We sometimes say we need a physician to tell us what ails us. The Lord is perfectly cognizant of our condition and he’s able to heal one difficulty as another. [The Relief Society Bulletin, vol. 1, no. 8 (Salt Lake City, Utah: August 1914).]

Eat to Live

My Sister, Elaine, said that she would read "The China Study" if I read "Eat to Live." I do like it.
It gave some good, basic information, but also added ways to apply the plant-based diet to daily life. It also included different diet plans and recipes for both drastic and moderate effects.
My favorite quote from the book is when Dr. Fuhrman is talking about the government's involvement in the education of the American public regarding nutrition including the USDA's food guide pyramid and nutrient analysis:

"Some foreign enemy out to destroy America could not have devised a more effective and insidious plot. How ironic that this was the program designed by our own government, promoted with our own tax dollars, and justified on the ground that it served the public interest."
Yes, there is an enemy out to destroy us, and he will if we are not awake, aware, knowledgable, and willing to fight against him. And he is using any way he can to destroy our freedom -- physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, etc. Nor will he wave a red flag saying, "This is what I'm going to do next!" No, he will do it slowly, patiently, until we are bound by his enslaving lies.
My solution: Question everything....
Here's the long-ago-promised recipes.
I really don't have many recipes that I could call my own yet, so first I will give you the websites I've found most helpful.
Here is the youtube video of how I do my raw green smoothie each morning. Yum!
The only thing I do differently is that when getting used to the taste, I used apple juice to sweeten. Now, I don't use any juice to sweeten it, but I do like to add a pinch of salt to round out the flavor.
My friend, Laurene, has many plant-based recipes that are very good. One of which, my wonderful husband bakes regularly for us is her whole wheat bread recipe. It is found here.
Laurene also introduced me to another website that has many good raw recipes here.
Another friend, Rachel, started a website for all the recipes she and her family liked that are all plant-based. Her website is here.
Dr. McDougall has a recipe index here.
Our family finds these recipes yummy:
Vegetable Pizza
Whole Wheat Pizza Crust
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 pkg or 1 tbsp active dry yeast
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup warm water
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
Pour flour into a large mixing bowl. Add yeast and salt. Mix well. Add water, oil and honey; mix well. Cover with a moist cloth and place in a warm spot for 10 mins. to rise.
Punch down and press into greased 14 in pizza pan. Spread sauce and other ingredients on pizza crust. Bake at 425 for 15 to 20 mins or until crust is golden brown.
I like to add chopped bell peppers, artichoke hearts, sliced tomatoes, sliced olives, red onion, any fresh herbs you have, and a sprinkle of salt. Also, my favorite seasoning I use on everything--I found at Sam's Club is: Spice Islands Salad Toppings Garden Vegetable Italian Blend. I use it on everything including my pizza. It's just dehydrated vegetables but adds nice flavor.
The Riley Sandwich
My daughter invented this sandwich and it's been a hit ever since. We've created different versions of this but it's great anyway you make it.
2 Whole Wheat Bread Slices
Vegan Mayo or guacamole
Any or all of the following ingredients:
Thinly sliced or peeled carrots
Sliced cucumber
Sliced Tomato
Pickles
Red Onion
Sliced Banana Peppers
Thinly sliced bell peppers
Lettuce
Splash of salt
And, of course, the Italian blend Salad Topping
Lentil Tacos
Make lentils according to package instructions, only adding taco seasoning to water.
Whole Wheat Flour Tortillas--Bob's Red Mill Recipe
Guacamole: Smash avocados, add salt and lime or lemon juice
Salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, beans (regular black or pinto, or "refried")
Enchiladas
This is adapted from my mom's chicken enchilada recipe that my family loves. These aren't necessarily close to the authentic Mexican variation, but good nonetheless...
Brown in saucepan these ingredients in a small amount of oil or water, or veggy broth:
chopped onion
chopped bell pepper
minced garlic
Add tomato sauce and
salt, pepper, oregano, and basil
If desired, add diced zucchini, celery and shredded carrots.
Simmer
Add Black Beans or Pinto Beans
Simmer until desired taste and consistency
Spoon mixture into whole wheat tortillas; roll up and place in greased pan. Heat 2 cups rice milk with vegan vegetable broth powder. Pour over all. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Add chopped green onions for garnish. Serve with salsa and guacamole.
Pomegranate Salsa
1 avocado
1 tomato
2 tbsp red onion
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 large pomegranate
Chop ingredients and mix. Serve with tortilla chips.
Portobello Fajitas
Red onion, sliced
Garlic, minced
Red Bell pepper, sliced
large portobello mushrooms, caps sliced
salt
Taco seasoning (optional) or Cumin
Cook Onion, garlic, and pepper in skillet in water, oil, or veggy broth about 5 mins. Add mushrooms until tender. Add spices. Keep warm. Serve with whole wheat tortillas, guacamole, salsa, and lettuce. Yumm!!
Low-fat Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips (or Raisins)
This recipe I've adapted a thousand times so you may have to adapt it to your liking as well:

1 cup whole wheat flour (finely ground)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp oil (or substitute one tbsp with applesauce)
1/2 cup plain applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup white sugar (or Sucanat-- Sugar Cane Natural)
1/2 cup brown sugar (or Sucanat)
2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup chocolate chips (or raisins)
Preheat oven to 375F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In medium bowl, mix dry ingredients. In large bowl, mix wet ingredients. Add flour mixture and oats. Add chocolate chips or raisins just before batter comes together.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9-12 minutes. Let cool on sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Store in airtight container.
Makes 2 dozen cookies.
Beth's Low Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies
(Adapted from about.com)
1 ½ tbsp oil
3 ½ tbsp applesauce
½ cup brown sugar ( Or substitute ½ cup of Sucanat instead of the brown and granulated sugar)
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup whole wheat flour
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup cocoa powder (or carob powder)
1/3 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (optional)
Mix wet and dry ingredients separately; combine. Bake 8-10 mins. (I do 7 ½ mins.) at 375ยบ.
Cool on cookie sheet. Makes 30 cookies

So, How do you do it???

What do I eat?
Ummm.... Yes, I am 100% vegetarian.

Would I recommend that to anyone right away? No.
Unless they have a pronounced illness that needs immediate attention--because pain is a great motivator and a great reminder to identify when you "cheat." You could try going cold turkey, but if you're anything like me-- I just wouldn't have been able to do it with out the constant reminder.
These are the steps that I would recommend:
  1. Write down all your nutritional goals you'd like to achieve and why: For instance: "I would like to use all whole grain bread, pasta, and rice. Why? For the added nutrients, and fiber-- for cleansing and suppressing appetite, etc." If you don't know why you'd try to go without dairy, research the information--borrow books or find info to read online. After you read everything, if you aren't convinced, sometimes a "trial of faith" is necessary, but at least you can write down the evidence that is shown to achieve your goals.
  2. Highlight the goals that would be easiest for you. I drank glasses of milk with every meal before reading this book. That was one thing I could do that wasn't too painful: "Replace glasses of milk with water."
  3. Work on one or maybe two of these goals at a time depending on how hard they are for you. Gradually work yourself and your family into a "new-norm." So if your family is used to white rice and would freak if you made brown rice, make both and combine it. Increase the brown rice each time and reduce the white until no one notices anymore. (Including yourself.)
  4. Try making your favorite recipes and just omit the animal products. (For instance, eggs usually aren't necessary in recipes-- you can add a little applesauce to moisten. Or make a big veggy pizza with little or no cheese. Act like you would if you just ran out of those items and couldn't run to the store.

Hints: If you or a family member is hating the changes... Stop. Yes, I know you feel like you won't get anywhere if you do that... But I do believe you can find some healthy alternatives that your family enjoys. For instance, you can probably name 3 fruits and 2 veggies your family enjoys on a regular basis. We need to train your taste buds back to enjoying good natural foods-- so start with the ones you already like.. Serve more of those and add in new ones regularly. I believe the husbands are usually the hardest to please but if it's the kids-- making it exciting and fun usually helps them get off on the right foot.

-Pray, Pray, and Pray... 9 years ago... I was heavier than my husband, miserable, tired, and addicted to sugar. Now, I didn't know to avoid dairy (although that would have helped me immensely) but I did know that I needed to change something. I truly do believe that Heavenly Father will help you decipher what is good for you to eat and what is not.

(And it may be different than me and my body...)

But pay attention to how you feel before you bite into that ice cream (that was my big downfall) or whatever tempts you. He will give you the courage to choose something better for your body, mind, and spirit.

Recently, my favorite quote is by President Benson.

He said, "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power."

I know that's true--I have seen it happen with me with nutrition as well as budgeting goals and mothering goals...Not at all that I'm perfect at any of those, but I know that once we make the decision to do it, it is amazing to see what He will do to help us achieve our goals.

Why Plant Foods?

With all the new "diets" advertised today promising renewed health, weight-loss, endless energy, and disease prevention, how can we know which is best for our body? The China Study (and I) present one theory, Atkins proposes another, the South-beach diet offers a variation, the Weston A. Price Foundation yet another-- how can we know what is best?


The answer: We can't.


That is-- not without Heavenly Father's direction. That is why we are so blessed to have the Word of Wisdom. Satan is currently participating in a all-out war against us. While we sit back, eat potato-chips and watch the new tv program; he is toiling day and night to destroy us. And he is employing every aspect of life possible to achieve his goal including causing harm to our physical bodies. The Lord is aware of the devil's motives and therefore has given us this guidance:


"In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation— " D&C 89:4


He gave the dietary guidelines, "not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—
3Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints. "D&C 89:2-3


So, although the Church now acknowledges parts of the word of wisdom as commandment (i.e. tobacco and alcohol.) the rest is left for our benefit, but not at all as a requirement.




My own opinion of verse 3 is that some of us are more vulnerable to potential diseases that can be avoided through following the word of wisdom. My body may be more sensitive to foods (i.e. meat) that others are not. But how can you tell if you are one of the "weak" ones? Umm... You come down with Cancer, Arthritis, Lupus, or Heart Disease. Well, I don't wish that on anyone, so we could say that everyone can benefit from following this guidance.


So, what does the Lord say to eat?


"All wholesome herbs [IE Plants] God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man— Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving."D&C 89:10-11 One definition of prudence: skill and good judgment in the use of resources


"All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—"D&C 89:16


Fruit, vegetables, grains (especially wheat--D&C 89:17), and other plant-foods are for our benefit.


Apostle John A. Widtsoe said, ". . . Plants contain all of the necessary food substances: proteins, fats, starches, and other carbohydrates, minerals and water [and vitamins]. The great Builder of the earth provided well for the physical needs of His children." (Priesthood manual)




"Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine."D&C 89:12-13 Definition of famine: an extreme scarcity of food


What does sparingly mean?
sparing : marked by or practicing careful restraint (as in the use of resources)


Therefore, there may be times we'd like to eat meat, but would benefit from refraining from it. The way I see it, eating meat "only in times of winter" could be interpreted two ways. One- that plants are not in abundance and not be plentiful enough to survive on completely. If that is the case, we have plenty of plants available to us because of transportation and modern conveniences. Or-two- that meat is helpful in creating warmth within the body. If that it the case, many of us do not actually feel the affects of the cold due to our wonderful furnaces and indoor professions. There may be other reasons for eating meat in the winter that I am not aware. In any case, meat is "ordained for use of man with thanksgiving" when it is necessary for our survival. Pertaining to this, Joseph F. Smith said, "I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he needs them for food....Love of nature is akin to the love of God..."


Heber J. Grant, reflected, "...During the years we have had a cafeteria in the Utah Hotel I have not, with the exception of not more than a dozen times, ordered meat of any kind...I have endeavored to live the Word of Wisdom and that, in my opinion, is one reason for my good health."

So,what does the Word of Wisdom say about dairy products.

Well... nothing.

And that, folks, is precisely my point.

The Word of Wisdom clearly relates what foods are good and necessary for man. No where in the Doctrine in Covenants or Book of Mormon does it say, "The Milk of Cow is ordained for the use of man." It even seems a bit odd, when put that way, that we would be injesting in such large quantities-- milk from an animal that is meant to feed it's young. Don't get me wrong, I loved a great big glass of milk--and considered it very healthy. Besides, the USDA recommend 2-3 servings of dairy a day! This is where faith comes in. I believe that Heavenly Father created the world in wisdom and order. Cows create milk for their young. "The harsh reality is that to produce milk, a cow must have a calf. To maximize production, each calf is taken from its mother within 24-48 hours of birth. Calves would naturally suckle for 6-12 months." More here. I don't need to go on for you and I to understand that is not the way God intended it to be... I have an increased appreciation for the wisdom and order Heavenly Father used to create this earth.

Ezra Taft Benson said,“To a great extent we are physically what we eat… What needs additional emphasis are the positive aspects - the need for vegetables, fruits, and grains, particularly wheat. In most cases, the closer these can be, when eaten, to their natural state - without over refinement and processing - the healthier we will be. To a significant degree, we are an overfed and undernourished nation digging an early grave with our teeth, and lacking the energy that could be ours because we over-indulge in junk foods…we need a generation of young people who, as Daniel, eat in a more healthy manner than to fare on the ‘king’s meat’ - and whose countenances show it.” “Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson”, SLC Bookcraft, 1988,p.476-7.


Ezra Taft Benson said this in 1988... think how much "we are an overfed and undernourished nation" rings true to us today. What if we are digging an early grave for ourselves because of that which we consume? How much better would we be at achieving all that we were sent here to do if we were at the best possible state of health?

He also mentions that, " In most cases, the closer these can be, when eaten, to their natural state - without over refinement and processing - the healthier we will be." The evidence of this is wide-spread; the healthful attributes of whole grain foods, raw foods, and organic foods are scientifically proven today. God-ordained foods were designed specifically for our bodies so that we could live at our greatest potential.

Elder Robert S. Wood of the Seventy said, "Today many people manifest the desire for such a rescue in small and large ways:... the individual who, having abused his or her body through lack of exercise and violation of the Lord's law of health, expects to be delivered, sometimes through priesthood administration, from the ravages of self-induced ill health..." Ensign, March 2002


That was me... trying to be healed from a self-induced over-dose of animal products. But thankfully, Heavenly Father didn't heal me right away but allowed me to learn and increase my faith. How have I gained faith? I truthfully struggled at first at believing that my children did not need the "daily 2-3 servings of dairy" the USDA recommends. I also worried about their protein intake. The China Study helped me put these worries aside. I now truly trust that if I try my best to get a variety of plant-foods as close to the natural state as possible, my body will the the healthiest it can be. And if my body is the healthiest, then my mind and spirit can thrive in the best possible environment.

Gordon B. Hinckley commented, "I thank the Lord for a testimony of the Word of Wisdom. I wish we lived it more fully, but even though we do not, the Lord pours out his blessing on those who try."
I know that if we do our best and continually try to increase our knowledge of this world and of eternity we will be blessed beyond our expectations. May you find strength to do His will and continually seek to gain His wisdom.


It didn't happen all at once...

Here's my story.


I'm barely conscious during the night... but I feel.... constriction, tightness, almost strangulation. I search for it's source and realize it's the ring on my finger... For the past few nights, I've been awoken by this recurring distraction. I remove my ring, put it on the nightstand, and return to blissful sleep.
Well, bliss didn't stay long...

This swelling around my ring finger continued. Soon I couldn't even force my ring on to any of my fingers. I ignored it.

The swelling continued to increase, along with pain, and... it spread.
Fast...
First starting on my left ring finger spreading around the hand, going to my right ring finger and around that hand, it continued. Pain began to catch my attention in my toes, then to my hips and my knees. Each joint seemed to be crying out in agony. "What is this?" I thought. Getting out of bed in the morning and out of the car after a long drive made me feel like a 90 year old woman. I couldn't grip the steering wheel, a football, a jar, weights, anything...
But what really got to me was how it affected my children... Buttoning my daughter's dress made me almost scream out in pain. Pushing her on the swing was almost impossible. (I learned to turn my hand upside-down and push with my palm.) I would find myself ripping my hand out of my dear children's tender, yearning hands due to shooting pain up my arm. Playing ring-a-round-a-roses became a time to "hold pinkies" but it was all still barely tolerable.

How old was I?
28.

I finally had enough the day I woke up and immediately called for my husband. "I can't lift my head!" It had spread to my neck. I made an appointment to see a doctor that day. My doctor hypothesised that it was either: Lyme Disease, Arthritis, or Lupus. Didn't sound like any good options to me. She did some further tests and sent me off to a Rheumatologist.

He thought my hand was broken. Off to X-Ray. "What?" How did that explain all the pain I was feeling in each of the other joints in my body? But... you can't "see" that pain like you could in my left ring finger. (It was enlarged, immovable--almost claw-like.) Well, I refused to get the X-Ray. What's the point? So, I got a referral to another Rheumatologist, but, he was booked for a full 6 months out. Somewhere in the mix of this, I also came down with an additional symptom. I developed a red, bumpy, flaky rash on my face each time I exposed my skin to the sun for more than 10 minutes. It was awful... I couldn't go outside to play with my children. When I did, I hid under trees, over-hangs, anything-- to get out of the sun. (And I love to be outside!... And I love to be with my children...)

I felt strongly that I just couldn't complete my mission (I think everyone has one)--that I was sent here to do-- if I were also required to endure this pain. I needed help and I needed it fast! So, I did a lot of searching, and I did a lot of praying.

What transpired is not what I would have guessed would occur. I continued to research for answers. At the time, the "coincidences" didn't register, but each time I prayed hard for help, I ran into ideas of health and healing that were similar. The first few times, I blew it off. I finally noticed the pattern the last time. And finally, it got my full attention.

The first time, I came across some LDS information that all came to similar dietary conclusions. (More on this later...) But, they were way too extreme for me!
The second time, I was searching for solutions, I found Dr.McDougall's website. What he stated made sense to me... and, it's worth a try, after all... "I'll do anything to get rid of this pain."
He states:
"...About 70% of people with the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, can expect dramatic benefits, and often a cure, in less than 4 weeks of diet change. The diet must be followed strictly – medications are reduced and stopped as improvements occur."
That sounds good to me! No pain and no medications (that's good--because I can't even find a doctor who can diagnosis this pain yet!)
So what is the diet? You can find his explanation here.
But very basically it is to eat whole plant foods and avoid all animal based products.
So I started changing what I ate. The good thing is that I had a child that has needed whole grains since he was young. (I was previously considered a "health nut" so plants weren't a problem.) But, I hadn't realized how much dairy and small amounts of fish, chicken, and other animal products were in my diet. And, I didn't think that you could actually be "addicted" to dairy products. My friend, noticing my grumpy behavior one day said, "How long have you been off dairy?" It was evident that it was during my withdrawal days...
I wasn't perfect yet, but my pain was so significantly better! I didn't have to lay in bed for a half-an hour longer in the morning before I could get up the courage to move... I could move around the house and push the grocery cart without holding my breath due to gnawing and sometimes shooting pains. But I definitely wasn't "free from pain." I still ate fish and eggs and every once-and-a-while dairy products. (I just wasn't fully convinced that these foods weren't necessary for a healthy body.)
Until I read this book: it's called The China Study.
On the cover it says, "...This is one of the most important books about nutrition ever written-- reading it may save your life."
It did mine, and I'll tell you how.
It's because I finally listened. I'm a bit ashamed to say that I didn't entirely grasp or understand the Word of Wisdom. It clearly states much of what I needed. But I never intended to follow it to the T. I'll explain more soon...
This is what is written about the author of the The China Study on his website:
"Early in his career as a researcher with MIT and Virginia Tech, Dr. Campbell worked to promote better health by eating more meat, milk and eggs -- “high-quality animal protein … It was an obvious sequel to my own life on the farm and I was happy to believe that the American diet was the best in the world.”'
He worked on a project "to ensure that the children were getting as much protein as possible."
"The findings? “People who ate the most animal-based foods got the most chronic disease … People who ate the most plant-based foods were the healthiest and tended to avoid chronic disease. These results could not be ignored,” said Dr. Campbell."
In his book, he explains how in the rural, isolated China villages, diseases that are prevalent in the rest of the world, are almost non-existent there.
What do they eat?
A plant-based diet void of all animal products.
He goes on in detail how Cancer, Heart Disease, Obesity, Autoimmune Diseases, Bone, Kidney, Eye and Brain Diseases and more could almost all be avoided if we take a closer look at the food in which we fuel our bodies.
He convinced me.
He, like I, was taught early in his life, that animal products contain the best protein and other nutrients necessary for a healthy body. Guess What? We were wrong. Dr. Campbell explains the reasons why we might have made those incorrect judgments and what we can do to change it.

By now, I had a Rhumetologist officially diagnose me with Lupus. Lupus! Yuck! After researching on the Internet about the causes, symptoms and affects of Lupus, life seemed almost hopeless. Researchers say they know very little about Lupus—the what and why things happen, but very basically your body attacks itself until umm... well... pain turns into non-functioning organs, and well... you die. Wow... That sounds great! Sign me up!!
A loving relative told me that in order to feel better, I just needed to regularly exercise and the pain would improve. Well, how would you feel if someone jumped up and down on your big toe and then said very calmly-- OK! Now, we just need to walk through the pain... You really just need to exercise... everything will be fine. =)
Uhgg... Everything was not fine—my hands, my knees, my waist, my toes hurt... I mean really hurt... My energy was that of a 100 year old-- or so I felt. And my hand couldn't even grasp a hand weight to lift weights. Lovely... So, really, following a plant-based diet in exchange for a pain free life—didn't sound so bad to me.
Was it ever hard to stick to the diet? Well, yes. But there was a pivotal moment for me when my view changed from hard and difficult to...I guess...almost easy (in comparison at least.) My mom came to visit. She had been diagnosed with Lupus years ago, but her doctor was convinced that her symptoms were actually evidence of Rheumatoid Arthritis. But from Dr.McDougall's website, I learned that it really doesn't matter what doctors “call” the disease-- that they all manifest the same problem in different ways.
So when she came to visit, I had already figured that what she has, I too have, since we share so many of the same symptoms. Immediately she began telling me that I needed to replace this faucet and that doorknob because at some point when my hands became unusable (as hers occasionally got) I could use my wrists instead. She recalled the time she got stuck in a church classroom because the doorknobs were the ones in which you must twist and her hands were the size of a softball and no-functioning. She mentioned her last visit with her doctor... She had an X-Ray of her feet taken and the swelling (due to the disease) had caused the bones in her feet to move apart causing all sorts of problems for walking and pain including affecting her knees and back.
You can imagine the pain I felt for my mom... The sadness I held inside knowing--a little bit better than I did a year ago--all that my mom has gone through. And... you can imagine the outlook I saw in my own life. It's at those times you realize that you never thought you'd be “one of those people.” That is... you never thought you'd be the one who'd come down with Lupus, or Cancer, or Diabetes....Those types of things happen to lots of other people, but, oh No... not me. Knowing a good friend whose life has been severely affected by Cancer in her family, I really don't know anyone who expects Cancer or disease.
But the truth is that disease is wide-spread in our country and across most of the world.
What if.... what if... most all of it is-- preventable.
What if the pain and suffering you witness in your friend or your spouse, your loved one, or yourself could be prevented?
Would you change? Would you beg them to change?
I did, and I am...
Why? Because it's just food.
My view changed. It's just food.
It's food, and your whole life.
Life—fully lived.
Or life— shortened and full of pain and suffering.
The Word of Wisdom says “And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them.” D&C 89:18-21. I didn't want to live in pain. I didn't want to go through those struggles, and possibly end life on Earth earlier...and What if...
What if ...I wasn't supposed to? What if that wasn't in the plan...? Well, I decided to change.
And I did.

How am I now?
The Pain is gone.
All of it.
Not even an ache.
It's been over 9 months since I completely changed my diet and I still wake up with the memory of pain in my hand. I fear it...
But I do “the morning test” and slowly close and open my hand... My hands move freely and smoothly. No pain. My mind and my heart rest... No pain.
I'm healed. Truly healed.
And...no butterfly rash.
No rash at all...
(As long as I'm good--and attentive to what I eat--)
"I'm free from pain!"
My sister recently sent us a game in which you answer some questions. One of the questions was, "If you could yell anything on the top of your lungs, what would you yell?" My answer:
"I'M FREE!!!!!"
You can be too. What if all you had to do is put different foods into your body, and you could live without Cancer or Arthritis or Lupus or quite frankly-- anything that ails you!!
(Well...maybe not everything, but-- at least try it!)
I'm the healthiest I've ever been. And I am completely convinced that it is because of my diet. I recently gave birth to a beautiful boy. After each child I've always come down with a sickness of some kind because of the lack of sleep that seems to accompany bundles-of-joy.
This time was no exception. I came down with Pneumonia. But this time, instead of weeks and weeks of sickness, pain, fatigue, and discomfort. It lasted one day. One. I tried to get some extra rest and make sure my nutrition was at it's best, and had only one day of complaint.
(By the way, the website of the green smoothie girl helped me to quickly add additional plant foods to my diet. I have a raw, green smoothie almost every day.)
Dr. Campbell talks in his book (--which by the way; I urge you to buy. You can borrow mine, but you'll eventually want one of your own... ) about how the plant-fed rats chose to run on the exercise wheel far more than the animal-fed rats. I find that I am oh-so-similar to the plant-fed rat. My energy level is far above what it used to be. (Even when I have a newborn in which to take care.)
Another change I've noticed, is that my taste-buds have altered. When the Word of Wisdom states that we should eat with thanksgiving, I guess I really didn't grasp that idea. So many people mention how hard it would be to live on a "such a constricting" diet. But I find that food is so much more enjoyable. And nothing gourmet is needed. A plain baked potato with a little salt, raw almonds, a handful of raspberries, an avocado and tomato sandwich on homemade whole wheat bread -- all make my mouth water, just sitting here. I've found joy and thanksgiving in food. And I haven't altered the God-given and God-devised foods. I find that the more natural or raw food (and life--in general) is, the more I find joy and comfort in it.
-
I feel better, I think better, I am better, not to mention... I'm Wildly Happy.
-
-
-
More on my LDS search for Faith and Health to come...