WELCOME TO MY HEALTHY LIVING BLOG

Welcome to my ever-expanding blog site. I trust you are enjoying your day. I invite you to browse the site, read the articles and enjoy my photography. Your opinion counts, so please leave a comment at the end of the posts. If you enjoy reading these blogs, feel free to pass the link on to any friends you think would also enjoy it.

The purpose of this blog site is 3-fold: a place for sharing general information, a place to share about spiritual matters that will help move us toward a healthier inner life and a place where I can talk about my business and the products that can help us experience better health. Note: This section, though still on the blog for you to read, is no longer relevant to me as I am no longer in business since I retired in 2010

Thank you for dropping by. I trust you will consider your visit worthwhile. This site is a 'work in progress', sometimes changing by the minute, so come back soon to see what's new on MY HEALTHY LIVING BLOG.

God bless you today and every day. Remember, "A joyful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22-NASB). Blessings and health to you and yours.

Diane

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all photos on this blog taken by Diane Stephenson

Friday, July 31, 2009

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY



Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

QUOTE FOR THE DAY



Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
---Leo Buscaglia---

Thursday, July 30, 2009

ATTITUDE AND HEALTHY LIVING

You may be wondering what yesterday's post has to do with healthy living. Well, since you asked...The word is "Attitude". There was a time when something like that would have upset me greatly. I would have muttered all kinds of negative things: Why did this have to happen to me? Now what am I going to do? Nothing ever goes right for me!

Sound familiar? I hope not, but I'm sure many people have been in that place at some point in their lives. However yesterday I simply got into the car again and aimed it back to St. Thomas. I told my friend that now she was getting a double ride. Aside from the fact that she was at first really upset about the whole dilemma, then blamed herself for not telling me to leave my purse in the car with her, I think she finally settled her mind and enjoyed the rest of the journey and the fact that she didn't have to go home so early.

Attitude: stance, mindset, outlook,mood, approach (from Gage Canadian Thesaurus). According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (online), attitude is 'A state of mind or a feeling; disposition'. It's "A frame of mind affecting one's thoughts or behavior" according to an online thesaurus. The online Mnemonic Dictionary says attitude is "a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways". I think you get the picture. As you can see, the cat has an 'attitude'!

Healthy living is accomplished in part by nurturing healthy attitudes. Negative thoughts and words have a negative effect on our bodies, our minds, our emotions, our spirits. And on those around us. Yes, our attitudes can have a powerful effect, not only on those in close relationship with us but also in casual interchanges with people we may not even know. Like someone in line ahead of us at the store. Or the teller at the bank.

A positive, joyful and hopeful outlook is contagious. Have you ever felt a little depressed (I'm not talking clinical depression here) then someone with a cheerful attitude comes along, says a few uplifting words and your whole perspective changes in those few moments. Suddenly you can laugh again in spite of your troubles. The sun begins to shine anew into your spirit.

We have a choice in life: to live life with a positive approach or to create a negative atmosphere wherever we go. I much prefer to be happy, to laugh, to be able to lift others up and bring joy into their lives. There are enough negative things and situations and people in this world that it doesn't need another in me.

What is your attitude?

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY







A friend loves at all times.

Proverbs 17:17

QUOTE FOR THE DAY


Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.---Ann Landers---

JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS

8:00 am. Oh, bother, it's too early to get up. I've only had a few hours sleep since Sunday night. But I suppose I might just as well open my eyes and face the day. I want to post my quote and scripture for the day before the day is over.

The sky is gray, and I learn later that it rained heavily around 7:00 am. I'm glad I wasn't awake for it; I'm tired of the rain day after day. It's a strange summer. But I have to go out whatever the weather.

Somehow I don't seem to get much done this morning. After posting I check my e-mail then remember my gmail account so check that, too. It's new, and I sometimes forget all about it and the mail piles up. I suppose I'll soon get into the routine. I hope. Then I Twitter some. I check the times of a webcast at 4:00 and a webinar at 9:00 pm I registered for. Maybe I should activate a calendar to remind me. I've never used the calendar before, so must find out where it is and how to use it. The time is going quickly. Then I remember I need to place a product order for my business before noon so it will be shipped today. Done!

I had better get dressed--it's nearly time to pick up my friend Winnie. I had asked her if she wanted to come along for the ride. "Would I ever!" was the response. Finally we're on the road to St. Thomas. It takes a half to three-quarters of an hour to get there.

I stop at the printers to pick up the e-books I had printed off. At least I thought I had them printed. They can't find my order. They can't find my e-mail, even! Found at last. I ask for black only--I can't afford to have that many pages done in color. It would cost a fortune!

Finally the printer starts to spit out my books. I pay my bill while I wait. Oh, no! It has stopped. Black and yellow cartridges are empty and need to be replaced. OK, it's running again. The sheets are piling up. Done! The girl looks at them and then announces they are in color! Fortunately for me she knew it wasn't my fault. I told her. And she told the machine. So, I get four full-color books. Can't complain about that.

Then I head for Wendy's for lunch. Oh-oh! Wendy's is gone! No idea where, so I had better find some other place to eat. There's A & W just down the street. Let's try it. The Mama burger is delicious - almost like home-made. The fries are some of the best I've ever eaten though fries aren't my favorite food. That's why I like Wendy's - they have baked potatoes. And Frosties! I love my Frosty after lunch. But no Frosties at A & W. I don't drink pop-- the phosphorus in it leaches calcium from the bones. I want to keep as much calcium in my bones as possible. I'm selfish. So root beer is out of the question. I guess it will have to be coffee. I don't like coffee that well either. Oh, this coffee! It's disgusting! One package of sugar. Can't taste it. Two packages. Still can't taste anything sweet. Two creamers, three, more sugar. Nothing improves it. And it's cold by now. Oh, well, we'll know not to buy coffee there again. Let's get the errands done.

I deliver my order then get myself lost going to my next stop because I am going from a different direction. I finally get to my friend's house. I'm only there to show her how to bring up my blog site. Why won't the link work? I sent the same e-mail to all my other friends. Some were able to access my site, others couldn't. I don't understand technology. It's beyond me. I try typing to address into the browser. Still nothing. I give up. Let's go home now.

I get back to London and realize I need two birthday cards for July 29. That's today! I park the car at the Dollarama and open the back door to get my purse. No purse! I can't believe I left it in St. Thomas! Back we go. Winnie says she's as worried as me. I tell her I'm not worried. Only in a hurry. I've got a webcast to tune into at 4:00. It's now 2:45 at least. I'm not going to make it for the training. Nothing I can do, though, but go back to St. Thomas. My apartment keys are in my purse to say nothing of my driver's licence.

So many red lights! Why is it that when I'm early for an appointment and want to waste a little time I get almost all green lights. When I'm running late they all turn red before I get to the intersection. I have quite a reputation for getting red lights. Just ask Dolly. She'll tell you every time I picked her up for youth I rarely got a green light. And there are twelve traffic lights between my place and hers! One night I got one green light in the lot. Anyway, I got back to St. Thomas, retrieved my purse and headed home again. A half hour late for the webcast, but it went on for another hour, so maybe I didn't miss too much.

It's prayer meeting tonight. We are usually through by 9:00. Remember the webinar at 9:00? Well, we're still at the church at 9:00. Not too bad, it's not far from home. But the pastor wants to talk privately with Sheri and I. OK. It's about 9:25 when I get home and click on the link for the webinar. Oh, oh! I have to download some kind of program to do this! That's done, I access the webinar, then can't figure out how to see what I'm supposed to be seeing while I am listening. I click a button. I really don't know what it's for, but lo and behold, the page I'm supposed to watch! The subject is blogging--just what I'm doing and want to learn more about. Only problem is, they are talking about a different system than I'm using. I think it may be useless information.

Time for bed. Sounds like the day was about as useless as the webinar information. Though I believe no information is absolutely useless. Maybe I'll use it some day. One good thing about today: it gave me something to write my blog about! A little long, but I trust you won't mind. Hope you get a smile and realize maybe your day wasn't as bad as you thought. Nite, nite. Sleep tight!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Guard your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.---Ralph Waldo Emerson---
Proverbs 3:21(b)-24

Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

So they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.
Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.


Tuesday, July 28, 2009

MUSIC AND HEALTHY LIVING

Can you imagine a world devoid of music? No silver tones of piccolo, no resounding of bass drum, no harmony of bow on violin strings taut with melody, no crashing of cymbals, no mellow crooning of saxophone, strumming of guitar strings or resonant echos from nimble fingers on piano keys, no tinkling chimes, no reverberating notes from pipe organ, no voice of singers pouring out lilting lyrics from the song in their hearts.

I believe that music is an essential part of healthy living, a form of therapy to help troubled minds, used in stress management and listened to simply for pure enjoyment and relaxation. Music can alleviate emotional suffering, bring comfort to grieving hearts. Music can lull babies to sleep. It has the power to change the direction of our thoughts, to bring joy in times of depression, to soothe aching hearts, to calm the troubled waters in our lives, even refresh memories of times long past. The angels sing around God's throne in divine melody that echoes throughout eternity. Music is a divine elixir to needy souls, causing us to ascend out of the mundane into heavenly realms.

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
---Berthold Auerbach (1812-1882)---

But what is music to you may not be music to me; what is music to me may not be music to another generation. Personally I am blessed most by listening to instrumental classical music, the music of Chopin, Mozart, Handel. I am lost in Fuer Elise (music pictured above) by Beethoven as I play it on the piano, and a violin rendition of Meditation from Thais by Jules Massanet causes my spirit to soar.

I recall being asked years ago by my pastor to accompany him on the piano during his violin solo of Meditation. We had no practice together until we actually performed it in church, but it was a wonderful experience akin to worship. If you would like to hear this music on YouTube, click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhKkjIC2SWk&NR=1 If classical music is not your forte, I would ask you to 'hear' this with your spirit rather than your mind. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Then there is a so-called music that is no music at all, composed of harsh noise, commotion, disturbance, confusion, distraction, evil words and can lead to evil thoughts and deeds of violence. This is the devil's 'music'. He is the great impostor, the perpetrator of everything ungldly, and has deceived many into believing that what he has to offer is good. It's our choice what we listen to. My choice is music composed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit whether classical, gospel, old-time hymns or whatever brings peace, joy, encouragement, worship.

He, the Creator God, has created His children to imitate Him--to create. Music is part of this creative ability bestowed on humanity. And music will follow us into the courts of heaven itself. We will sing praises to the God of our salvation throughout eternity. What a blessed heritage we have!

Music! I thank God for it!

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY

For by [wisdom] your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
Proverbs 9:11

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Spend your time in nothing which you know must be repented of; in nothing on which you might not pray for the blessing of God; in nothing which you could not review with a quiet conscience on your dying bed; in nothing which you might not safely and properly be found doing if death should surprise you in the act.---Richard Baxter---

Monday, July 27, 2009

HEALTHY LIVING AND THE MIND

Photo at left is of my mother last December at age 97. She passed away on March 19, 2009.

Photo at right is my friend Winnie who will be 99 on October 8, 2009.



Why do we get old? I don't mean in years, but the inner person, the all-encompassing thing that is the 'real me'. Some people seem old at fifty, spending their time in front of the television watching soaps and sit-coms, filling themselves with chips and pop. And then there are those, like my friend Winnie, who, on October 8 will celebrate her ninety-ninth birthday. Up until the beginning of this year she was still doing volunteer work in the General Store at a chronic care hospital--serving coffee and running the cash register! My mother, who lived with me for the past nearly five years, was able to look after herself almost until she died. She ran her own home alone before she broke her hip and moved here. Winnie has a friend who several years ago became a centenarian and has only recently given up entertaining.

Have you ever wondered what makes the difference?

I realize our genetic make-up plays a major role in how many years we live. Disease can age the body long before its time. Excessive amounts of unhealthy stress can over-burden our systems and short-circuit our life-span as well.

Healthy living contributes to longevity. (By the way, what do you call it when longevity isn't the outcome--shortevity?) To a large extent, the food we eat dictates the outcome of our lives. Eat at fast food restaurants several days a week and it will very likely lead to an early grave. And exercise--that's important, too. But there seems to be something more to it than that.

I believe our state of mind plays a giant role in how fast we age and how many years we live.

People who feel they are not needed lose interest in life far more quickly than those who have others relying on them, be it family, an employer, friends, it doesn't really matter who or the reason why. As long as human beings feel useful, they find purpose in living. Take away that usefulness and you take away their reason for life. Those who keep their minds active are more apt to keep their bodies active.

Winnie began volunteering at Parkwood Hospital in 1975, the month after she officially retired. She visited the residents, took them shopping, accompanied them to the Western Fair every fall. She helped at the strawberry socials, the monthly birthday parties. She has always been involved in church. Now, if she can't find someone to take her out every day she's not a happy camper. Though she has slowed down physically and has become somewhat unsteady on her feet, she still keeps going--and still won't take her cane or walker when she goes out!

So, my advice to anyone who wishes to have a long, productive and satisfying life is to feed your mind with positive, challenging things. Don't be afraid to try something new even if you think you are too old. At 64, much of the technology of the age appears daunting to my technologically-challenged mind. But here I am, after setting up this blog site with no outside help (except the Lord), blogging away as if I have been doing it for years. Best of all, I feel invigorated by the process. I'm excited about what I'm doing, and challenged to continue. Things suddenly look different. My creativity is flowing free once again after a dormant period over the past few months. I've learned my lesson: we're never too old to learn.

Keep feeding your body healthy nutrition, exercise in whatever way suits your schedule and physical condition best, get enough hours sleep each night and keep mentally active. I won't guarantee you will live to 100, but your years will be more productive and you will be much happier if you follow these simple rules to healthy living.

A BIT OF HUMOUR FOR MONDAY JULY 26

You got to be careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there.
---Yogi Berra---

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY for Monday July 26

Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3 (NASB)

QUOTE FOR THE DAY for Monday July 26


The winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, and I am. Losers, on the other hand, concentrate their waking thoughts on what they should have or would have done, or what they can't do.
---Denis Waitly---

Sunday, July 26, 2009

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY for Sunday July 25


You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Psalm 145:16 (NASB)

ARE YOU GLAD IT'S SUNDAY?

Align CenterI was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."
Psalm 122:1 (NASB)

Sunday, the first day of the week, the Lord's day. Whatever you call it, it is the day when Christians traditionally go to church. Some attend huge cathedrals, some meet in tiny wooden structures, some with thousands of other worshipers, others with only a handful of like-minded folk. Some are so poor they have no building but meet under the trees or open sky. Regardless of where you worship and with whom, the Lord is there in the midst as He promised (see Matthew 18:20). Are you there with Him?

Do we merely attend church? Or do we truly worship the God of all creation, the God who sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins because He loves us so intensely? Worship is more than singing a few hymns and choruses. Worship is more than praise. Worship is a melting of our hearts in the presence of the God of love. It is a pouring out of our hearts in love and adoration to Him because of who He is, not for things He has done. If He never did another thing for us, there is enough for which to worship Him throughout eternity.

Are you glad when Sunday comes around once again bringing with it the opportunity to fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ and with the true and living God? Or has church become a duty, or worse, a habit? Have you forgotten how to enjoy the presence of your Savior, or do you still marvel at His beauty? Have you met this wonderful Savior whom to know is to love?

I pray that you do know Him, and that, like King David, you are glad, eager, to enter the house of the Lord each Sunday morning. May God's blessings follow you wherever you go and may you walk in His paths each day of your lives.

Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in holy array. Psalm 29, 1, 2 (NASB)






Quote for the Day - Sunday July 26, 2009

Have regular hours of work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success. ---Louisa May Alcott---

Painting by Diane Stephenson

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Quote for the Day


To get people to start following the straight and narrow path, stop giving them advice and start leading the way!
---Author Unknown---

More Beauty for Healthy Living

Here are a few photos I took earlier this year at Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London Ontario.

This village is a great place to spend a summer afternoon in the sunshine. Founded by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority in 1956, it was officially opened in 1959.

Spanning 2.2 acres on Fanshawe Lake, a lake created by Fanshawe Dam, Pioneer Village is a delightful place to visit. As you can see by the one picture, it is a great place for sailing. There is also a roped-off area for swimming.

Our church has also held water baptismal services in the lake.

As you stroll through the grounds past soldiers clad in bright red uniforms and ladies dressed in period costumes, you are transported back in time to an era long past.

Relax, wander through the homes, enjoy the beauty and peaceful outdoors.


Buildings are being added yearly. There are several churches, the old London Free Press office, beautiful old homes complete with furniture of the era.

After you have seen all the buildings you can stop by for ice cream and home-made pie in the little shop. There is also a general store where you can wander at your leisure and purchase items of interest to you.

Without beauty in our lives we are not truly living healthy, so I do hope you have enjoyed my pictures and that this little bit of beauty will help you to experience more Healthy Living.

If you reside in the London area I would encourage you to set aside a day before summer is over and visit Fanshawe Pioneer Village. There are also special seasonal events, so if summer isn't convenient, try Thanksgiving or Christmas. You won't regret it. If you live too far away, consider camping in the Fanshawe Park campground. Check out their web site for more information. http://www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca

Healthy Living to you all.

Healthy Living with Minerals




Minerals. Without them we die. It's as simple as that. Our bodies do not have the ability to manufacture minerals, so if we don't ingest them in the food we eat and don't take mineral supplements, the outcome is grave (no pun intended).

Over the past 100 years, mineral content in North American soil has been depleted by an average of 85%. All the chemical fertilizers in the world will not fix this problem. If the minerals are not in the soil, they are not in our foods that grow in that same soil. Over and above that are all the chemicals sprayed on the crops as they grow in order to prevent insects from destroying them. There are literally thousands of pesticides in use today. These turn the soil, to say nothing about our food and our bodies, into a toxic nightmare. Does it sound like a vicious circle? It is, and it is not improving.

But, you might ask, what about organically-grown food? Often it is difficult to discover what is truly organic. Technically speaking, all plant life is organic. Certified organic will usually guarantee that the foods are pesticide-free and no artificial fertilizers have been used to grow these plants. But what about the rain that falls on those fields? Is it not still the acid rain that falls on all fields? We will never be able to go back to farming truly healthy fruits and vegetables as was done centuries ago. But, yes, I do buy some organics in the hopes that there has been little or no chemical usage. And I do buy supplements made from organically-grown products.

According to a ScienceDaily report, August 9, 2008, there is very little evidence of organically-grown foods having more nutrition than conventially-grown crops. If you would like to read the report, go to http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080807082954.htm and read the whole article.

Back to the mineral dilemma. The only way we can be assured of receiving enough minerals is to take nutritional supplements. But not just any nutritional supplements. Purchasing the least expensive brand off the drugstore shelf will usually result in nothing more than a waste of money. Many of these brands do not contain what they tell you on the bottle. Most are full of additives, fillers, etc., that will not benefit your body at all. Some, if you put them in a glass of water, will not even begin to dissolve after 24 hours! What does that tell you? You had better give your money to the charity of your choice. Quality is everything. A good quality of calcium, for example, should begin to dissolve within 5 minutes after being placed in a glass of water. Where calcium is concerned, it also depends on the source. Calcium carbonate, for instance, does not break down in your body. Calcium citrate is one of the best forms.

So, which minerals should I take? Never buy, say, a bottle of calcium, another of zinc, another of potassium, etc. You can do your body more damage than good. Taking too much of some minerals can make you toxic, thus sick. Balance is the key. Choose a high-quality brand, preferably pharmaceutical grade, mineral complex, one with all the minerals included in the ratio your body needs. Calcium needs magnesium and Vitamin D3 in order to work to its full potential. You need a 2:1 ratio of potassium to sodium. And the list goes on.

Trace minerals are another part of this picture. These are minerals that you need for healthy living, but only in minute amounts. There are dozens of these essential to healthy bodies and minds. If possible, use a liquid supplement as it is absorbed much more quickly into your blood stream than tablets or capsules.

If you would like more information on minerals and our bodies, check out http://www.answers.com/topic/chelated-minerals and read the article.

So, until next time, let's drink (our minerals, that is) to healthy living.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Just a Quick Post

We had a storm this afternoon and the power kept going off, so I had to shut down the computer and didn't get as much done as I wanted. As I wait for my dinner to cook I thought I would just add a quick post here. I don't have time to write the post on minerals today because I have to get back to where I am dog sitting to let Chelsea out and feed her. That's Chelsea in the photo. Cute, eh?

You will notice the calorie counter. I hope you will make use of it. Although I don't usually count calories, it is probably a good thing to do. Calories, of course, aren't everything. Nutrition is the important thing, but even a good thing can become a negative if we eat too much of it and don't get enough exercise to burn those calories.

Well, I just heard the timer go off on my steamer (yes, I steam my veggies), so until next time, Healthy Living to all of you.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Or, as Benjamin Franklin put it in Poor Richard's Almanack in 1741, "Beauty, like supreme dominion, is but supported by opinion". Well, I would like to share with you a few pictures that, in the eye of this beholder, are examples of beauty in nature - God's creation. I thought this would be a little break from the Healthy Living blogs. Although without beauty in our lives, we cannot be truly healthy. I hope you enjoy.

The first picture was taken at the Fanshawe Park Pioneer Village.
The florals were taken at Waterworks Park in St. Thomas Ontario.

The last one was taken in Brantford Ontario from my cousins backyard.



I apologize for the haphazzardness of these photos, but I haven't yet figured out how to do this the way I want it. I hope it doesn't spoil the effect of beauty.

Let's Talk About Food


Healthy food means healthy living, at least in the physical realm. It also means healthy thinking. When we don't get proper nutrition, our bodies become weak and we cannot even think clearly. So if you want to have a clear mind, you must eat properly. But what is the proper food?

To start with, you need the whole range of essential vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, even healthy bacteria. This subject is far too large to deal with in a blog, but there are many online sources if you want to delve more deeply into the subject. But for our purposes here, I intend to keep it as simple as possible.

Vitamins. A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E, etc. We've all heard about these. We get them in the food we eat. That is, if our food is nutritionally balanced and cooked properly. Just overcook your food if you want to destroy many of the vitamins it contains. Or eat nothing but junk food: fast-food restaurant burgers, fries, etc. Potato chips, nachos, ice cream, chocolate bars, processed and packaged foods. The list goes on. These foods not only contain few vitamins, they also contain many harmful things like cholesterol, trans fats, saturated fats, additives with long, unpronounceable names to improve taste and longevity. Yes, packaged food is made for long shelf-life, but eating regularly on this kind of diet will shorten our life span.

In some instances, our bodies have the ability to create vitamins, for example Vitamin A. When we eat food containing beta carotene, our bodies will manufacture Vitamin A. But, for the most part, vitamins must come from what we eat. A healthy balance will consist of a wide range of fresh vegetables - dark green leafy, red, orange, yellow, white, root vegetables, legumes - and a variety of fresh fruits - orange, yellow, green, red, dark purple and blue. If you eat these uncooked you get the greatest potential of vitamins available. Cooking, especially at high temperatures or for a prolonged time, destroys many vitamins including Vitamin C. Raw is definitely best, but if you must cook your veggies, steam them or quickly stir-fry them in healthy oil such as grapeseed oil.

Even when we eat what seems to be a healthy diet of fresh fruit and vegetables, often they do not contain an adequate supply of vitamins to sustain our bodies let alone get them healthy when they are sick. The land on which our food is grown is highly deficient in nutrients and many artificial fertilizers are used to force the crops to grow bigger and faster. To say nothing about the harmful chemicals sprayed on the crops to stop insect infestation. This has led to a huge depletion of nutrients in our food.

We need to add nutritional supplements to our diet if we want optimum health. But not just any supplements will do. They must be high-quality, pharmaceutical grade from a food source, not synthetic. And not just an extract of individual vitamins from the food. We were created to eat whole food, not bits and pieces of foods dissected in a lab for convenience in ingesting them. Before you buy any supplement, check the source. It's important if you don't want to waste your money. Check the label. Does it say 'whole food'? Is it organic? Where does it come from? Are there artificial additives that are, at best, unnecessary, and at the worst harmful? Do your homework before you buy.

Next time we'll talk about minerals and how important they are in a diet conducive to healthy living. Until then, eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies and remember to take your supplements. Here's to healthy living for all.

What Does Healthy Living Mean, Anyway?



• Healthy: possessing good health; conducive to good health*.
Synonyms: active; flourishing; strong; vigorous; wholesome; fit; robust; well.
• Living: possessing life; a manner or means of maintaining life, livelihood*.
Synonyms: existence; income; support; work; occupation; life.
*The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

Is healthy living your goal? No doubt about it, I need my life, my income, my work to be flourishing and strong. I desire a wholesome life, an active life that is fit and healthy. Jesus said that He came to give us a more abundant life (see John 10:10). Now that's healthy living!

Healthy living influences all areas of our existence: mental, emotional, physical, relational, spiritual, occupational, financial. It affects intellect, personality and character. We were created to grow, and to grow we must strive to remain healthy. Without nutritious food, pure water, clean air, adequate exercise and rest we sicken. Without regular spiritual food our spirits languish. Without intellectual stimulation we become mentally dull. When growth stops, life stops. Granted, we do not continue to grow in physical stature throughout our lives, but we should be growing, maturing constantly, in all other areas in order to achieve our destiny--the thing for which we were created.

How do we attain this abundant life, this healthy living? For Christians, the Bible holds the key.

• Food - the Lord is the supplier of bread for natural (see Matthew 14:21)and the Bread of Life for spiritual food (see John 6:48).
• Water - the Holy Spirit gives rivers of living water - only the purest (see John 7:38).
• Air - the Holy Spirit is breathed on us (see John 20:22) - pure air indeed.
• Exercise - of the body– benefits a little, but exercising our spirits unto godliness brings great gain (see 1 Timothy 4:7, 8).
• Rest - physical (see Proverbs 3:24) and spiritual (see Matthew 11:29) comes from the Lord.
• Intellect - like the Bereans, we need to search the scriptures regularly to keep our minds healthy and alert (see Acts 17:11).
• Emotions - we need to fill our minds with healthy, positive things (see Philippians 4:8) in order to have healthy emotions.
• Relationships - live at peace with everyone as far as we have the ability (see 2 Corinthians 13:11)and our relationships will remain intact and healthy.
• Occupational/business - work with enthusiasm as unto the Lord Himself (see Colossians 3:23; Proverbs 10:4) to be prosperous.
• Financial - God gives us power to make wealth (see Deuteronomy 8:18) but we need to seek Him for wisdom and know-how to use that power creatively for a productive and positive purpose to meet our material needs (see also Philippians 4:19).
• Character - we are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).

So, in a nutshell, the answer to my question is...Jesus! I challenge you, if you have not already done so, to join me in a continuing quest for Healthy Living. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Be a winner!

Welcome to My Healthy Living Blog

Welcome to my Healthy Living Blog! I trust you are having a wonderful day wherever you are. In London, it's rather cloudy and we have been having rain for the past few days, but still it can be a great day if we make it so. Yes, weather affects us. Yes, it's so much nicer when the sun is shining and the sky is blue. But I needn't be blue because the sky is grey. Attitude is everything!

Wondering what this blog site is all about? Obviously, as the site name indicates, it is about Healthy Living. I will be sharing thoughts on all areas of healthy living: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. And attitude! Hopefully I can bring some new insights to you, reinforce things you already know, teach you something you did not know and remind you of some things you may have forgotten.

I invite you to explore the site, read my posts (there will eventually be much more to read) and leave a comment. Don't forget to check out my web site, too: http://www.dianestephenson.com

Your opinions count and I would be grateful for positive feedback (not flattery, but please be kind with criticism!). If you have found it worthwhile, I would appreciate it if you would let your friends know about Healthy Living Blog.

Thank you for dropping by and come back again soon.

God bless you today and every day.

Diane