Made Whole

For a few years I've given a good deal thought to the whole food movement. I've never doubted the wisdom of the idea, just lacked the gumption to research, convince the Mr. and do it. Debra often shares her efforts to eat healthy and simply and Mrs. Mac will likely be raising chickens any moment now. It's probably the thread that runs amongst our little blog klatch; the homemaker and the woman who longs for simpler times. Times when life and families and food was more...whole. So I am not surprised that here and there we all seem to comment on getting back to basics in one way or another.

As you know, I am a Weight Watcher Lifetime Member not in good standing. Ugh. I remember when I was within a few pounds of my goal weight my mom asked me if I thought I was capable of ever being fat again. I said yes. I'm not back where I was but heaven knows that I'm not where I need to be. I said yes to the question because like the alcoholic, I know my weakness very very well. As my friend Lisa and I have often said, it's the cellular fat girl (CFG.) She never rests!

Why haven't I just jumped into whole foods and healthy living? Lazy and undisciplined would pretty much explain it. Didn't feel like the uphill battle with my guys. Expensive. Blah, blah, blah. Then this week I was listening to Doctor Radio and a nutritionist was talking about healthy eating and the part that preservatives and processed foods likely play in our current health as a society. In case you haven't heard about whole foods, it's really pretty simple. It's doing your best to eat food as close as possible to its original form in nature. Apples, not apple sauce. Eggs, not Egg Beaters. Whole grains not processed white bread and avoiding refined sugar to choose molasses, honey, maple syrup. Oatmeal, not granola bars with oatmeal. Sliced roast beef not lunch meat on your sandwich. It takes some effort because grabbing KFC at the end of a long day is not an option. And remember, I am married to a guy that chooses Arby's instead of McDonald's when he feels like eating healthy.

So this nutritionist just pushed me a few steps along the path I've been eyeing for a while now. Today the Mr. and I went to the Westborn Market because I wanted fresh fruit and had a hankering for grape leaves, which they sell. When we got home I made us each a snack of pineapples and strawberries. And believe it or not, for the first time since I became aware of the concept, I admitted that I would like to learn more about eating whole. It's been quite easy to push the idea aside by blaming his likely lack of support to keep eating the wonderfully delicious fattening food I love. As always, there is a season. Much to my surprise, the guy muted the television (!) and engaged in an insightful conversation with me about eating fresh and whole! I really feel that God planted a seed in my heart and that today was the right season to harvest the idea. Dean was excited to hear about the concept and readily agreed with me that this was something we needed to start doing. Praise the Lord! I mean, seriously; praise the Lord! I have not only felt this was something that would help me with my food struggles but I have been certain of the benefit to our entire family. With diabetes and hypertension in our families and the shocking fact that we seem to be getting older; there is no time like the present to begin guarding our bodies.

I read quite a bit online about whole food diets and one of the things I have most appreciated is that most of the articles advised to take this on as a process. It's ok to be less than 100%. That's something I really struggle with, the concept that less than 100% success with anything is not worth doing. But I feel a true peace in my spirit that for now, we can take each step toward a healthier lifestyle as we are ready. I am asking the Lord to prepare our hearts to receive this change with joy and not with dread or the condemnation that has always accompanied my slips away from complying with my diet.

Today we began our journey. It will be one of baby steps and discipline not to mention learning. I'll ask you to please pray for us that God will guide our hearts as we try to surrender our very bodies to his wisdom. I'll also ask you please, with all the love in my heart, not to become our Whole Food Police. It's probably just me but I have a pet peeve of people pointing at my plate to inform me that I am not allowed this or should have chosen that. We are going to try this one day at a time.

Dear Lord, I give my body and the bodies of my family to you. I ask you to give me wisdom with my food choices and to focus my thoughts not on a dress size or number on the scale but on the belief that a healthy body will reflect beauty in its own way. I yield my cravings and habits to you and confess that I have not honored my responsibility to guard my health. Father, I know that I have created my own battle by allowing myself to live in a way that I know is harmful to me. I'm sorry Lord. I thank you for the bounty that you have given us and that you have allowed me the privilege to live in a country where I am able to choose what I want to eat everyday. Right now I ask you to extend your favor to the farmers and workers who continue to work to provide the same food that you created at the beginning of time. I ask you to bless the crops of this country and prosper us, allowing us to receive your harvest with gratitude. I continue to thank you for the work you are doing in Jay's body as he reintroduces gluten into his diet and I pray you would guard his health and allow him to continue his life free of Celiac disease. Although I have surrendered and taken my appetite back many times before, I surrender again. Give me a redeemed hunger. Thank you. Amen.