Eating Healthy and Playing at the Park

Yesterday while listening to conference I had a thought. See, I have been really good about sticking to my "Real Food" diet. This means, of course, no refined grains, no unhealthy fats or oils and lots and lots of fruits and vegetables (protein is fine too). I have to say that it really hasn't been that hard to curb my cravings. I don't find it difficult to say no to twinkies or cookies or even cinnamon rolls--call me crazy... but I really don't  want them. I feel like I get enough sugar from my fruit and that's usually good enough for me. What's hard for me is that my pallet is so accustomed to sugar in EVERYTHING. Sugary Peanut Butter, sugary jam, sugar in my muffins and my bread etc... And with no refined grains and no unhealthy oils I literally have to make everything myself. Don't get me wrong, it's delicious. (I have a point to this, I swear. Bear with me a little longer.) I use Honey in place of sugar and make sauces out of fruit to improve flavors but the tastes are just not the same. 

(By the way, Bentley just woke up and exclaimed, "Jesus!" as Dad carried him out of the bedroom ha ha ha)

As I was listening to conference the thought occurred to me that living the Gospel is kind of like eating a "Real Food Diet".

Today when you go to the supermarket you will pick up bread, cheese, fruit and vegetables and milk (or anything like unto it). These foods are fundamental foods in a diet, however the products that you purchase at the store have gone through several man-made processes. The fruit is altered and shipped across the world to look flawless and perfectly ripe. The grains are processed and the healthier parts removed. Milk is processed and re-thickened and sweetened and the cheese--well, actually the cheese has been fine as far as I'm aware. 

Some people say that eating this way is extreme. Well, isn't it? Maybe. All I'm doing is removing my body from eating the processed food of man.

The idea behind the diet is essentially that God has given us everything for our body to be healthy. Every strawberry and blue berry has attributes that contribute to our health and work together for the fortifying and nourishing of each of our systems. When the food goes through the processes that we have come up with to preserve the food by adding tons of refined sugar or other chemicals we are adding things that don't belong and we are taking away the food until the food isn't giving us the benefits that it once was supposed to give us. In summary: 

Now, let me just say: I am not trying to say that everyone needs to jump on this bandwagon and eat only unprocessed food. No. I'm not. It's just a healthy diet or life change and it teaches some good eating healthy principles.

What I am really trying to say is that every day as we take things into our minds, our hearts and our bodies we are given many choices. Do we consume the processed, prepackaged man-made foods (or, the philosophies of men, mingled with scripture)? Or are we partaking of the whole food, fresh fruit, fresh enzyme packed milk that the Lord has offered to us?

Changing my life to be a more christ-centered life has been exactly like eating this diet. I have hobbies and interests that I enjoy--probably a little too much. And sometimes living the Lord's way and being a dilligent servant means that even though we are accustomed to watching certain movies, playing certain games or just spending our time doing some kind of leisure activity we need to make healthier choices for our spirit. Instead of playing a video game that imitates life, go outside and play with your children. Instead of reading a book all day long about a hero helping someone in need, go out and be that hero. Or read the scriptures!

At first, you want to go back to what you were doing, just like my mouth wanting my delicious peanut butter and jelly on white bread that I cannot have anymore. And it can be hard to resist the temptation to just take a bite. Just do that activity a little bit. Don't! Resist! choose to take into your spirit the pure, delicious natural tastes of life. 

Spend time with your family. Read the scriptures often. Drink deeply from living water. Breath fresh air, love deeply. Avoid the philosophies of men mingled with scripture. It is not a healthy diet and will not give you all the nutrients and spiritual health benefits that you need!

Just like eating a no-sugar diet, at first the change can be difficult to break the habits and tastes that you are accustomed to, but as you stick to it and pray for direction and strength you will be able to do it. And, with time, your pallet will change. The naturally sweetened foods will become delicious to you and the processed man-made sugary foods will seem less desirable. You will yearn for them no longer.

It's not easy. It takes effort to eat a spiritually "Real Food" diet. It takes constant vigilance to make sure you are not being fooled into taking something into your spirit that claims to be "healthy" but isn't. It takes discipline and self control and you have to think about it ALL THE TIME. But you can do it.

Whether you are on your quest to eat healthier food or to become more spiritually healthy I know that the Lord will help you. He is always there to help you on your quest do to something better to learn and to grow. And as for His gospel. It is always there. Pray for His help in your daily quests, whatever it is. But I promise you that as you strive to fill your spiritual diet with whole, unprocessed gospel truths your life will fill with light and you will feel spiritually strong and enlightened. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

We took Bentley to the park between the LDS General Conference sessions to kind of get the wiggles out and have some family fun. Bentley had so much fun. As you can see, his Dad did too. It's so fun to watch Bentley explore new things especially when he's a little apprehensive about it first. He tries his best to be a good sport about it because he trusts his parents but sometimes I can tell he would rather be ANYWHERE doing ANYTHING else.

Dad and Bentley were inside the tunnel and I just couldn't help myself. It cracks me up that Jacob was INSIDE the tunnel with Bentley. He and I are getting too big to do such a thing. Ah, the things we do for our children, am I right? Jake and Bentley are so cute together. First thing in the morning Bentley says "Dada!" and I have to take him out into the front room so Jake can catch a few more minutes of sleep before school. He loves his dad and is always all giggles with they play.

And, no, Bentley was not having fun in this picture. I had to sing Little Bunny Foo Foo in order for him to smile like that. He really didn't care for the swings. He always grit his teeth and gave a nervous giggle as he moved back and forth. His eyes said "HELP ME!!!" Ha ha. So funny.

(This video contributed by Jake)