Just rambling on

I've been spending a bit of time reading around on the subject of refined sugar, refined flour and carbs in general. The skeptic in me, sometime referred to as the great deceiver, has me always thinking about whether or not PRISM is a fad diet that will come crashing to an end sometime in the near future.

I keep finding though, that the path we are on seems to be right in sync with what most nutritionists and doctors are saying. But, papers I have read online as well as my doctor himself also seem to think that the biggest pitfall with programs like PRISM is that people don't have the strength to stick with it long enough to retrain their bodies about how and what to eat. I guess this is where I think our group lends itself to success. We are not relying just on ourselves for strength. I would have quit by now if that were the case! No, we rely on the strength of ourselves and our group, but primarily we rely on God's immeasurable strength. Lucky for us He joined the group.

OK, well, that was a bunch of words I didn't plan on typing. I really just wanted to share this doctor's blog. He seems to encompass most of the things we are learning about in PRISM.

We should be eating what the Lord has provided. - We should strive to eat, as often as possible, the food that comes out of the ground, as fruit of the earth. The less that man has altered it, the better it will be for us. I cheer inside when I observe that refreshments served at Church functions include a wholesome vegetable tray or fruit plate, rather than the typical brownies and cookies.

Our journey toward more vibrant health has brought us to a point where we are starting to listen more carefully to our bodies. The results have—usually—been positive, except when we hear but fail to heed what our bodies are telling us. King Benjamin taught: “Now, if you believe all these things, see that ye do them.”

As you're racing to find out more about King Benjamin, make sure you grab your Book of Mormon and not your Bible. Brother Dr. Stanley Gardner or Dr. Brother Stanley Gardner appears to be Mormon with a leaning towards Eastern medicine/religion, but overall I find that he maintains a God centered perspective on health. I wonder if recalling that little piece of LDS trivia is why God delivered baby Garin to a Mormon home? Remember this post is titled "Just rambling on"

There are lots good of articles to be found at his blog, but here are links to a few I really liked. He even references our old friend Dr. Udi-do in one of his articles. :)

EATING: Gourmet, or Gluttony?

Alternatives to Traditional Medicine

CARBOHYDRATES: HEROES OR VILLAINS?

DIABETES: Critical Information You Should Know

Phase 1 Successes

Our Ferndale group completed Phase 1 of the PRISM guidelines this past July 10th. There are 9 people in our group following the weight loss guidelines and 2-3 additional support people that attend either to watch the videos or support someone on their journey. I'm happy to report that our group lost well over 100 pounds and inches. Because not everyone chose to weigh and/or measure themselves I calculated an average using the information I did have. On average we lost 17 pounds and 17 inches each. Other comments I've received throughout phase 1 include:

• I feel great
• Food Taste better
• I've lost 1 - 2 dress sizes
• My blood pressure medication has been reduced by half
• My blood sugar levels are well within normal; no early morning peaks
• I've gained a closer walk with God

If you know someone in our group please congratulate them on their success. It's a strict, tough program and everyone has worked really hard to get where they are.

Simplified version of yesterday's post

I'm reasonably sure that God didn't put me on this earth to eat, so I should spend my time here doing what He wants, rather than looking for more food.

Sustenance

So far the PRISM program has been very good for me physically. My blood pressure has gone way down, I am thinner and I generally feel great, but I am at a point that I can't seem to shake the idea that this is a temporary thing. It hasn't settled yet that I won't ever be eating the same way I used to. I have to admit that I haven't kept up on the readings on a daily basis. I play more of a catch up game a few times a week. I really want this program to be successful so I rededicated myself to doing the program the way it is laid out; reading everyday not just do every day's readings!

Today's reading starts with a verse which I've seen a few times already.

The good man eats to live, while the evil man lives to eat.
(Proverbs 13:25 The Living Bible)

A bent that I have is that I can't read a verse without wanting to read the verses before and after, or looking at what words were chosen, or looking at different translation, so I can really understand what we are supposed to learn. So I read and here is what I found.

I think PRISM chose the Living Bible translation because it is a bit more polished on the theme of eating to live vs. living to eat. While I don't find anything really wrong with the translation I do feel that it implies that the evil man can be satisfied by eating or that it is just the focus of an evil mans desire. Like it is just a choice to do this or that. After reading a few other translations I find that the message seems to be more of being satisfied by God both physically and spiritually when we choose Him or to go on with our life always in want or hunger if we don't chose His path.

The righteous eat to their hearts' content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
(Proverbs 13:25 NIV)

The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul:
but the belly of the wicked shall want.
(Proverbs 13:25 KJV)

The righteous have enough to eat,
but the wicked are always hungry.
(Proverbs 13:25 GNB)

The righteous eats to the satisfying of his appetite,
but the belly of the wicked shall lack.
(Proverbs 13:25 LITV)

An appetite for good brings much satisfaction,
but the belly of the wicked always wants more.
(Proverbs 13:25 MSG)

So I read that no matter how much I eat, I will never be satisfied because the hole I am trying to fill is not in my stomach, it is in my soul. Feed my soul and my stomach will no longer hunger. Amazing how God and his Word are so timely. Food may sustain my body on this earth, but God is the real longterm sustenance.

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
(1 Timothy 4:8) KJV