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Thursday, January 8, 2009

Word of Wisdom

This is something we could spend a lot of time thinking about but my question is "What does God expect of us as far as our stewardship over our bodies?" I was talking to someone the other day that said "I don't think people should be able to take the sacrament if they are fat." They went on to explain that we can't get a temple recommend if we drink just one cup of coffee a month but if we overeat and eat foods not good for our bodies we are actually doing more harm to our body than if we drank a cup of coffee. Interesting to note that with one exception (the presiding Bishop) our general authorities male and female are trim and healthy looking. 

Another random thought... I mentioned to Kaitlyn the other day I was concerned because one of the young women at church (not our ward) had lost even more weight and was looking frightfully thin. I said (in a grave tone) "I think maybe she has an eating disorder." Kait said "Maybe she does Mom but why are you always worried about people that have an eating disorder and are too thin but you're never worried if they have an eating disorder and are overweight?" I started to explain that anorexia and bulimia can lead to serious health problems including death and then I realized that she is right. Overeating can also lead to serious health problems including death. 

Now in case any of you have been among those that have worried about Kait's weight when she's been her thinnest she honestly eats as much as a baby elephant. She found when she was in her chubby early teen years that unlike many teens she cannot eat cake, cookies and other treats without being overweight. But she honestly eats tons of raw vegetables with hummus or greek yogurt, fruit (she often eats 1/2 of those large containers of grapes from Costco in one sitting) and whole grains.  I would guess she only has a sugary treat once or twice a month and then it's only one normal serving.

So anyway some things to ponder. I just read the Word of Wisdom again and while it doesn't say don't be fat it clearly says to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and whole grains and very little meat. I have heard folks extrapolate the warning against hot drinks to mean we should avoid any substance that is habit forming (caffeine) which we could take a step further and ask "are any of the bad foods I go to when stressed (chips, sweets, fried foods, soda) addicting to me? We know the Lord wants us to avoid habit forming substances because they increase the power of the body over our spirit when what we want to do is just the opposite.

Ok off to make a healthy breakfast-- Sandee

6 comments:

  1. I love your comments, Sandee...It prompted me to go to an old book of ours...which some of you may have..."Spiritual Roots of Human Relations" - By: Stephen R. Covey...Chapter 3, he addresses "The Three Temptations, Understanding and Overcoming"...The FIRST TEMPTATION...he called "Flesh versus the Spirit"...If any of your are INTERESTED in this CHAPTER...it relates to what we are trying to accomplish here in this little group... I would gladly SCAN in the CHAPTER...and send it through my email...Let me know...We can discuss the FIRST TEMPTATION if you would like...PRINCIPLES that could change our THINKING in the area of FOOD...It is an IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE...

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  2. Thank you Sandee for your thoughts and thought provoking comments. I never thought about weight problems as something that should be consideref in being worthy to take the sacrament or temple worthiness. I am gratful that we have a loving and understanding Father in Heaven who knows all things and loves us unconditionally. He knows our struggles, our strengths and weaknesses and will help us through all things. If it were for man to judge us that would be a scary thing.
    Thank you all for this opportunity to help and be help along this path together as we are here to uplift, encourage, and not judge.
    I hope we all have a super duper day(:

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  3. I do the same thing you do about seeing eating disorders. I think its because I cant really identify with someone that has anorexia or bulimia to be eating is so easy I cant imagine not doing it or having a mindset like that. On the other hand it is much easier for me to sympathize with over eaters. you are right both are dangerous physically and emotionally. I feel like my body is a gift and I want to start respecting it more and doing things that are good for it. I know that Heavenly Father loves us and is very happy when ever we are trying to improve ourselves.

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  4. I think it is always easier to identify other's problems than admit to our own. I, too, have wondered how accountable we will be for the care we give our bodies, and for that matter or minds as well.

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  5. Oh Holly I hope you didn't misunderstand me. I was not saying those that are overweight aren't worthy to take the sacrament. I just heard someone else make that comment and it gave me pause. I guess it made me realize that Heavenly Father really wants us to be healthy and safeguard our body-- that's why he gave us the Word of Wisdom. And I think there is much more in the "do's" part of the Word of Wisdom than we really focus on. One of my children's patriarchal blessings says "I admonish you to follow the Word of Wisdom carefully, not to be too extreme about anything in the church, and do those things you know you should do in order to enhance your ability to stay in good health. The Lord wants you to stay in good health and would prefer that you accomplish this." I'm sure that is true of each of us.

    I think in the most part it's a matter of keeping things in balance. The Lord would not be well pleased if we spent the entire day reading the scriptures and did not have time to take care of our family or give service. I think likewise when we say we do not have time to shop for and prepare healthy food, or exercise, or meditate to relieve our stress (so we don't binge eat) because we are busy giving service (or other worthwhile things) he is also unhappy about our being out of balance. Even though we have done much good we have neglected an area he has commanded us to take care of- our own health.

    Sometimes I feel like it's selfish to spend very much time taking care of myself but then I think what would I want my adult daughters to do. Of course I wouldn't want them to neglect themselves just to get a lot of other (good and important) things done.

    I realize this is all a thousand times more difficult for mothers with little children. So I am so so so proud of you for your success so far!

    Sandee

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  6. Oh Sandee I never thought you were saying that. I just found the whole idea thought provoking in God may not consider these things as unworthy of His gifts to us but man might if it were upto them.
    As you refered to keeping things balanced. That is so hard to do and not just in the eating and health area either. Life itself is a challenge along to keep in a balance let alone everything else. I do understand we are all at different stages in our lives but that is how we can help each other more. It gives us different experiences and outlooks to things maybe we never thought of or know for ourselves.
    Please know I did not take this personally Sandee just again found it interesting even for someone to make such a comment.
    You also made another comment that I do understand. It was about feeling selfish for spending time on yourself. Boy dont I know that feeling. The I feel guilty. That is something else on my list of many that I am working on. "It's ok to take time and care for me" Others need me and if I dont take care of me now how can I take care of them fully now and tomorrow?
    Ok now that I just rambled on and on(: I need to get back putting the noisy beasts to bed(:

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