A Year Later
So, it’s been about a year now that our family has been on this “whole foods” journey. We started out just eliminating all the processed food I was buying – then I got into more deep things like healthy fats and natural sweeteners. I’ve kept some things and I’ve ditched some things. I’ve read and watched movies until I was blue in the face and about to lose my mind.
Here’s something you might not know – everything is bad for you. Some people say “eat all the veggies you can!” Others say “watch out for those veggies…if they’re not organic, they can kill you.” Some people say “eat butter!” Others say “don’t eat butter if you don’t personally know the cow that it came from.”
About three months ago, I unsubscribed from most of the whole foods blogs that I was reading. They were NOT encouraging…they were only stressing me out and making me feel like a complete failure. There was NO WAY I could measure up to most of those blogs.
The Truth About Real Food
I’ve sensed something very disturbing in the Whole Foods World…it’s something that has bothered me to my very core and I’m speaking out against it. FOOD IS NOT OUR SAVIOR.
Some blogs and people may lead you to believe that eating the right foods will keep you from getting sick. They might say that if you never eat any processed sugar that you won’t get cancer. They may say that if you stick to only organic foods that you’ll never miscarry a baby. What do I say? I say that we live in a fallen world – none of us are immune from the tragedies that are in it. Sin is a part of our everyday world – and because that sin lives in this world, so will cancer, miscarriages, and sickness.
If it were true that eating whole foods would keep you healthy and free from tragedy, then a drug addict would never carry a baby to full term…and a one-Coke-per day elderly man wouldn’t live until the ripe old age of 95. Food cannot save you – Jesus can save you.
I actually read recently about a woman who was grieving through a miscarriage. In the comments section some people actually had the nerve to question her food choices – to say maybe she hadn’t been on a whole foods diet long enough. They said that next time she should only eat certain things. The NERVE of some people! They should have been extending grace and compassion to this woman – not condemnation….suggesting her baby died because of something she did wrong.
Our Stance on Whole Foods
Is it true that eating mostly whole foods and whole grains is good for you? Yes (at least MOST people would agree on that). I can honestly say that when we eat foods that I’ve made from scratch, we feel better…our health is better – we are MORE immune to sickness…but we’re not totally immune. And I’m not so big-headed to think that I can totally control my life by what I put in my mouth.
God has numbered my days – and no amount of work on my part is going to change the date that He has in mind…nothing I can do will change that when it’s my time to go, I’m gonna go.
Will my days on earth feel better because of what I eat? Sure. But I also know that eating some peanut M&Ms once in a while won’t put me in an early grave either.
I’m tired of the “grain or no grain” debate. I’m tired of the “organic or regular” debate. I’m sooooooo weary of the “meat or no meat” controversy. Seriously. God put food on this planet for us to enjoy. He also expects us to take care of our bodies – and He wants us to make smart choices.
So, this is where I stand:
-I will feed my family to the best of my ability
-I will cook from scratch and avoid processed foods when at all possible.
-I will still used canned tomatoes, even though the world assures me that I will die an early death because of BPA
-I will buy local produce whenever I can, because it’s good for us, tastes delicious, and because I like supporting the local economy
-I will buy organic foods when I feel like it and when my budget allows. I will not get down in the floor and foam at the mouth if I have to buy a bag of non-organic apples. They’re apples…and raw apples are better than colored, sweetened, and flavored applesauce in Aisle 6. Amen.
-I will pray over each meal that I consume…because I believe that God honors my resolve to feed my family well. I believe that HE is the author of life!
*See also this article from Christianity Today: The Dark Side of Healthy Eating.
Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. Hebrews 13:9
United We Stand
I also want you to know that I’m not alone in my resolve to stand against people who believe that food is god. I’ve taken this firm stand with some of my very great blogging friends. Pop on over there and see exactly what they have to say too. We thought we had better stand together – so that when the comments come, we’ll be able to stand firm in our resolve.
The Humbled Homemaker: We Can’t “Name and Claim” Our Health
The Simple Homemaker: A Realistic Perspective on Real Food in a Very Real World
I realize that most of what I have to say isn’t popular or what people might want to hear – so when leaving comments please try to refrain from name calling. 🙂
Hooray for this blog post! I really needed to be reminded of this today. Thank you!!
Hallelujah that you wrote this and amen! It seems to be such a huge issue in my Christian circle but never recognized. God has opened my eyes to the idols of food whether it be junk food, healthy food or food elimination diets. Praying over your food is so so important too, God has healed a health issue of mine by simply showing me that I needed to pray before every meal.
This is exactly the way I have been thinking. So many Christians and people get caught up in what to eat, the Daniel diet…Daniel ate that way for a period of time not his whole life! Then there are some that swear eating meat causes cancer and others that believe gluten is the devil! Then you have plant based whole food, keto, the zone, and others claiming they beat cancer with a diet, (they had the cancer cut out! that’s probably the biggest thing that cured them was removing the source of the cancer!) We are making food our idol thinking it gives us control. God is in control, yes we should eat whole healthy foods and exercise if we want to feel well while we are on this planet. BUT it should never consume us or stress us out! I think what is evil is, the people who claim their way of eating will cure what ails you, whether it be cancer, crohn’s, diabetes etc. And they are selling their supplements and books and so on making tons of money with false promises. The word of God is full of His promises, we should bank on them not on people who are getting rich selling snake oil!!! If Satan can get our focus off God and on to saving ourselves with our diet, then he has won! Jesus is my savior. Him and Him alone!
More Jesus, every day!!!
Exactly my sentiments. I was having this discussion with my friends and most have made food their ‘god’. The first thing that rings in their mind is food and will go about the whole day just looking for spots to have a bite. Though its essrntial, food shouldn’t take the better part of our lives. Theres so much to do and achieve and food isnt one of such goals.
Well said. As essential as it may be, we simply cannot allow food to control our lives. Thanks for the comment, Steve.
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
ThIs is a great article! Thank you! I have been so STRESSED to the point of tears because of all this food contradiction! To make it harder I do have digestive issues that I have been trying to correct by doing “my part” to take care of the temple of my body. But it’s gotten out of hand to the point of literal fear of food and envy of others being able to eat what they want. Two things God tells us not to have in our heart! So thank you for this article. I hope that it is the beginnings of the breaking of this food obsession. Please pray for guidance and wisdom for healing of my digestive issues and this bond age to food! Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear this article touched you! And thank you so much for taking the time to share a bit of your story.
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Refreshing! Thank you.
Thanks Marie!
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
I. Am too a believer that food is not my god. I met this really nice lady but food is her god. I am so turned off to her I ask God forgiveness. I am 60 BMI perfect. We watch what we eat. It’s not hard to break away from her. I do not like to be unevenly yoked. God bless you. Happy Thanksgiving. Luv Gracie
Thanks for the comment, Gracie!
Julie, HH Team
HALLELUJAH AMEN!!!!!! THAAAAAAANK YOU!!! I was miserably fixated on eating healthy to the point I stopped eating at one point due to FEAR of making wrong food choices!!! The expert advice seemed to contradict …..*sigh* Jesus’ has set me free TODAY from food idolization! I use to be social…until “healthy eating” consumed every facet of my mind. Thank you for this article! God is sovereign not steamed Kale!! Amen!!! ?
Haha – God over Kale! I’m so thankful you’ve been set free from food idolization. That’s a great place to be!
Julie, HH Team
I loved reading this! I am so over being stressed & confused about what I eat! It has been all-consuming and created a unhealthily relationship with food and and how I live my life and what I think about. I was happy to find this, it really resonated with my spirit and reminded me we are to not worry and trust God. Using wisdom and the fruits of the spirit will surly lead me down the right path when it comes to food and healthy wellbeing ? Thanks for the reminder, I really needed it!
Amen – I’m so glad you appreciated the post. And thanks for commenting 🙂
Julie, HH Team
Thank you for being so bold. I completely agree.
I was wondering if eating too many acidic fruits like strawberries can give u pain in the abdomen and pelvis area . Dr did a lot of tests and CT scan but showed nothing . Can this be the cause for all my pain and if so what fruits are good to eat ? Maybe could u send me article about strawberries or something. I do eat a lot of strawberries in a day probably more then I should . Should I stop eating them all together? I’m confused. Since February have had a lot of trouble with abdomen and pelvis area . When the Dr presses he knows it hurts because of my face . Should I ask dr about this ? Thanks for ur help. Have a great day .?
Hi Linda! I don’t have too much knowledge or experience in this so I would encourage you to reach out to a professional for their opinion. Our bodies are all different and what fruits bother you don’t necessarily bother me – and vice versa. Sorry I can’t be more helpful. Good luck.
— Julie, HH Team.
I cannot refrain from name calling. I am sorry!
You are such a ….. smart woman, you are wise, you are listening to God and sharing it with others…so you’re a profit. You rock!!
Great blog entry by the way. Jesus died on the cross and made all foods clean. He gave us an abundant amount of food sources on this beautiful earth. It’s sort of too bad people have messed with their natural state over the years, but I agree that it won’t change the length of our lives from what God has planned for us. People go a bit crazy about things that He doesn’t want us to fret about. I don’t believe that He meant it to be that complicated. We should eat when we’re hungry and not OVER eat, but only till we’re satiated. That’s how He made our bodies to work. And He didn’t mess up when he created us!
His eye is on the sparrow!!
Happy New Year! And God Bless!
Happy New Year, Derpa!
Thank you for your thoughts!!! I so agree!!! I too have been confused and trying to work out to eat well because our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit but not to make food our god!! I agree and also have come to the conclusion, all things in moderation. Another beautiful Scripture text that gives me comfort is 1 Timothy 4:1-5. Thanks again!! May God continue to bless you and your family.
I love that set of verses!
I was so thankful to read your stance on the “whole foods” diet. It IS stressful, trying to follow each and every program down to the last letter. I wholeheartedly agree that I too, will do the best I can for myself and my family to eat what is good and healthy. God has given us an abundance of beautiful foods to choose from, and I won’t be damned to hell if we decide to eat a few fries with our meal. Thank you so much for sharing your heart!! It’s such a release from these chains of burden to eat everything that is organic, raw, whole foods or Paleo!! We’re not perfect, but forgiven and covered by unending grace. Thank you Jesus!
In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus!
Love this article. Something I needed to hear!! God bless!
Had to add this. I had to part ways recently with a food-legalistic person in part because I felt so judged by her food superiority and criticism of others in this area. When my daughter started her period just before turning 12 (right when she tipped the 100-lb mark, which is when my mom and I both started), I told my former friend. Her response was, “Ooooh, that’s REALLY young. I’d be concerned about that. That’s why WE use all hormone-free dairy so that won’t happen in our house.” How about just saying, “Wow! She’s becoming a young woman” and just leave it at that?
Thank you. This “food as idol/God” idea some people have has been troubling to me for quite some time. I’ve had six miscarriages (and four children with me), and one person told me after the first that I must not have been eating right. Thank you for putting into words what I’ve been thinking
I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriages. <3
Thank you so much for sharing your faith!
It’s a huge encouragement for my heart!
It’s really stressful to find out food balance but thank God for His faithfulness to keep us healthy through His Precious blood and also for special people like you!
God bless!!! ???
I’m glad it was encouraging, Patricia!
I love what you have to say here!
Thank you for your thoughts and having the guts to express them. I know a woman who traveled faithfully in her car with a Vitamix and bags and boxes of supplements and other foods. She would bring them into the homes she visited and make her own food. She did it in my house, and it made me feel sinful for the foods she was rejecting in my home. I also know families that have ingrained in their children so forcefully to not eat certain “evil” foods that when they visit other homes they don’t know if they should eat the food served to them, even in the home of a loved friend or relative. So sad.
I know healthy food makes a healthier body, but I also know that to live on earth forever is not supposed to be the goal of a Christian’s life. Who wants to live here forever when there is so much waiting for us on the other side? The food choices I make do not determine my salvation. I am pretty sure that God wants me to eat healthfully and responsibly whenever it is feasible for me to do so, so that I may serve Him better while I am here. On the other side of that, my family has traveled to visit different cultures all over the world, and if the best thing a family can serve is hot dog stew over white rice, then we will eat hot dog stew over white rice. If we visit a friend’s house where Tater Tots and Nachos with canned cheese sauce are served, I want them to celebrate the opportunity to have something on the “fun food” list.
No questions asked, to God be the glory.
I’m so sorry you were made to feel that way. I’m glad you were able to use it as a growth experience.
AMEN!
Thank you soooo much for this! It is so easy to spend tons of time and money searching for the perfect advice, recipes, food, supplements etc. As one who has survived breast cancer, I have fallen prey to “you have to eat” this or that to stay well. I knew that i needed to make certain changes and I did. But, I also know that it was God that saved my life and healed me. You have put the “food will save you” mantra to rest. Thanks again, and praise God for his mercy and grace.
Celebrations to you for surviving breast cancer! Woooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
Thank you friend , God is good , amen.
I love to cook healthy meals for my husband and friends, but trying to be perfect according to all of the whole food blogs is overwhelming. God convicted me recently that avoiding name brand peanut butter is NOT going to be the reason I may live a long and fruitful life. Thank you so much for remaining true to the Word and reminding the rest of us 🙂
I adore peanut butter…let’s just eat it! 🙂
Thank you stacy for sharing this. I was convicted by the Holy Spirit about making health as my idol. And i couldn’t believe how God answered my prayer through you. The Lord is really in the business of transforming lives and freeing us from whatever bondage that cripples us in serving Him. Thank you again Stacy! To God be all the glory!
Amen to that – because if the glory was in us…man, we’d be in a pickle.
I have been convicted lately about being so strictly organic. I have realized in a sense it is self worshipping and even pleasure based when buying cheese and breads and such(because organic foods taste as they were intended and not strange and tasteless). I now dont concern myself so much if some things i eat are not organic. But I will stick to buying mainly organic and at least no gmo for two main reason: its not the length of my years that matters at all when i think organic, if i got cancer tomorrow so be it, its the sick and toxic reactions i easily get when i eat chemical, gmo, ultra processed foods. they really are not food in a real way. I think about King David and imagine he or anyone from thousands of years ago in Isreal being given a processed burrito. I am almost certain that almost everyone would throw up and/or feel sick. Because one: the taste is strange and sickening, 2: its poison they arent used to. Eating organic doesnt have to be expensive either, beans and rice and lentils are cheap and taste great with the right spices. Thats just one example. Eating healthy has actually caused me to covet food less, because my body doesnt lust after meats, and breads, and sweets that are just pleasure based and not even needed for fuel. Just dont think that eating healthy will make you immune or super-man or anything. Trust in God because he will give you everything.
Give us this day our daily bread. 🙂
Oh my gosh this is what I’m going threw right now … I have looked at paleo … Whole 30 … And so on and so forth … I’m at my wits end with it all … And I mostly want to scream can I please find a recipe thats “good for you” that I don’t have to be a chef to cook … And if I don’t have a clue what the ingredient is there is no way I’m spending money I can’t afford to waste on it
I think perhaps the only thing everyone can agree on that’s good for you might be kale. LOL 🙂
THANK YOU!! From the very bottom of my heart! I have been in the place you described – I won’t even say how many whole food/ real food blogs I subscribe too – but they are NOT encouraging. I get the same feeling as well, that God is not a central part of their life.
I am on a big food journey just trying to feed my family “right”. My husband and son both have something called CMT, which is a neuropathical disease. People herald Paleo and anti-inflammatory diets to “treat” these kinds of things, but… I just wasn’t feeling it. You know?
This post if VERY encouraging to me, and refreshing to my faith 🙂
I think we’re all on that journey – let’s encourage each other in it! 🙂
That is a stunning comment from someone who could not possibly know their hearts.
“God has numbered my days – and no amount of work on my part is going to change the date that He has in mind…nothing I can do will change that when it’s my time to go, I’m gonna go.”
This is absolutely false, according to God’s word. The choices we make – and that includes our lifestyle and what we eat – affect when we die, without question!
Example: Priscilla and Aquila being struck dead because they lied about the money from their land. God KNEW they would do that, but He did not predetermine they would die that day. There choice assured that they would.
God knows WHEN we will die – He does not, except in a very few instances, CHOOSE our time to die. Because so much depends on our own choices.
Hey Denise, it is clear we have a difference in theological opinion…and that’s okay. From my stance, God not only knows, but also directs my path from life to death. Romans 9 discusses this very point of God directing the hearts of men for His will to be accomplished. However, the idea of “free will vs. God’s sovereignty” is an age-old debate that won’t be solved here. The point of this post is this: Food is not God, God is God. To give food a higher position than it deserves, which is a common trend in many circles these days, is dangerous ground, possibly even approaching idolatry, a violation of the second commandment.
Thank you, Stacy, I really needed this post! I appreciate your perspective on so many things, and the way you framed this spoke to my heart. I’m so militant in my eating that I felt it was becoming a problem. May God continue to bless the work you and Barry do!
Thanks, Ann! 🙂 Prayers for you today.
You got an AMEN here! Thank you!
Preacher to the choir, huh? 🙂 Thanks Angie!
Amen! There seems to be a trend toward food obsession that almost seems like idolatry. I know many people are helped by changes in their diets, and that´s good. But we’re not meant to spend our days obsessing over food. We should be thankful to have plenty of food and food choices. And enjoy all things with balance.
You hit it exactly – there is nothing wrong with using food to better your health. The problem comes when you rely on that MORE than you rely on God.
This is amazing. Thank you SO much for voicing this! I have been soooooo frustrated with people (especially fellow Christians) regarding this issue! It becomes SO law based and condubg when Jesus is all about JOY and FREEDOM and GRACE! I applaud you and will start following your blog now! So excited to have found a voice of reason out there!
Thanks, Bridget! Let me know if you need help navigating anything. 🙂
Thank you! This is the first time I’ve read this. These very things have been on my heart & mind recently. I have had to cut gluten from my diet as well as other ingredients that my body doesn’t agree with. There seems to be so much out there on the whole & real foods front, some trying to tie it to God & the Bible. But what you wrote I can’t question. The snacking on peanut m&ms solidified it 😉
Or chocolate chips…which is my current obsession. 😉
Wonderful post! God is the author of life and it is His to take away when He deems fit. We can only do our best for our families and ourselves while we are here, and do ALL to bring glory to Him!
Amen.
Stacy. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For this blog post. I have been through a crazy 3 year saga of food issues due to allergies (or perhaps just sensitivities) like eggs, gluten, dairy, wheat etc… I am a strong Christian but really got to the point where I feel like I am trying to make food our God! You have said everything I have been feeling and thinking. And it was quite funny with the non-organic apple comment. I burst out loud laughing. My husband will love this post (and I plan to show him for accountability when I start freaking out again) because he’s been saying this stuff all along, but let me go down my rabbit hole anyway just to come full circle. 🙂 He does that a lot and I love him for it. I am going to print this page out and all of the links so I will never lose this and for inspiration when I start throwing food in the garbage (ahem, during those crazy hormonal times of the month) because I am convinced about how the Big AG, Big Food Conglomerates, Big Gov’t, Big whoever is trying to kill us. I did break down the other day though and bought my children a rare box of Honey Nut Cheerios. They couldn’t believe that I did it. I said let’s just pray over it. I am sure we won’t drop dead on the spot. Thank you again!!! You made my day. I found your blog by the way by typing in Google the words “Christian real food blogs” because I thought I would pull my hair out if I read another evolutionary/paleo/real food/primal anything! Thanks again!!!!
🙂 Sheri – what an awesome comment. And I just love how your husband has been a good rock for you!
Thank you! I found your blog last fall before you started following a whole foods diet again. I have spent so much time wracking my brain over what is most healthy for my family and like you I felt God has been leading me in the way of whole foods and balance. I do have problems with gluten and dairy so I work around that but I 100% agree with your viewpoints!! I have to share this post. You are my hero ☺️
You should check out some of the Bread Beckers videos that are about GF cooking – I love them and we don’t even eat GF. 🙂 But then again, maybe I’m just a weirdo and enjoy online cooking classes. Ha, ha!
I do agree to some extent. I do not feel that food is my God. I wholeheartedly believe that God can heal me. I have RA and acid reflux and fibro so I have to keep up with what is going on and put the right foods in my bodes as do people with diabetes, celiac disease, high colestoral and etc. People who are gluten sensitive, just a small cracker with gluten in it can make them suffer so they are not able to cheat. We need to be more aware of what is being put in our foods. Such as arsenic in apple juice (an analyze was done to prove this) which was approved by the FDA. Aspartame in diet sodas which was also approved by the FDA. In the Biblical days they didn’t have processed food they ate fish from lakes (ours now is taunted with pesticides from the air. They ate raw fruits and vegetables. A gentleman in NC started a place called Hallelujah Acres. He had cancer and he took the Bible and ate what the Lord intended us to eat and cured himself of cancer and thus created this place to help others. As you stated yourself, God expects us to make smart choices. And I agree there is way too much controversy over what is healthy and what isn’t. And it makes it hard for those who need and want to change their diets for health reasons. I have a problem when I hear two men in a medical supply sitting having a conversation. Both were diabetics and one had both legs amputated and the other had one. The one with both legs, stated his doctor said he needed to eat six handfuls of meals each day and he just couldn’t do that. The other guys wife responded with “You only live once, might as well enjoy it.” Not trying to dispute what you are saying, but just want to show a perspective that for some people with chronic illnesses, cheating can make a big difference. There is a lot o foods I can’t eat. I haven’t ate tomatoes for years because of reflux and I grew up on a farm where I would eat them directly from the garden and I love them. I have only drank water for over ten years now. Foods can be addictive. I used to love Diet Coke and drank it in place of water. Had a doctor tell me because of the aspartame (didn’t know this when I was drinking it) was probably the beginning of all my health problems. Even now I crave the sugars but have been trying hard to only buy products with the natural sugars. It gets very hard sometimes but for my health it is something I have to do. Just read an article this morning about Leaky Gut Syndrome and the connection to RA. Fits my profile. During my journey for 6 years now I have not given up and I believe that God has directed my footsteps and brought me to the right people and even to strangers on the streets who I have learned from and my faith has grown stronger everyday. I hope you like my post and can understand there are those who which food does make a big difference.
Wholeheartedly agree with this comment. There are exceptions to nearly everything. Been learning Hebrew and Greek recently and the common saying is that “the only thing you can count on in Hebrew is that you can’t count on anything.” However, I think it should also be said that the article was more directed at those who have made healthy eating a refuge in their life (Ps. 18). That’s not to say that healthy eating is bad anymore than a husband and wife sexual relationship is bad (healthy eating has its proper place in life and sex has its proper place in life). The point is that anything can become an idol to a human being and the author is trying in this article to warn against what has become a very common trend-among those who have little to no health/medical issues that demand extra attentiveness to the ingredients-to obssess over what they are putting into their bodies.
Eating healthy is great! I’ve been trying to do so lately because I have little time with which to exercise because I’m stuck behind a desk most of my days. Since I’ve started eating healthier I’ve felt better physically, but in the end I could still get cancer, maybe not from something I myself am doing now, but merely due to the fact of living in a sin-cursed world (Gen. 3; Rom. 8). Sounds hopeless, thus the gospel which is the ultimate refuge and hope for believers, which gives the future hope for where our true home is and the future reign of Christ as King forever when we will receive our glorified bodies freed from the stain of sin because of what Christ Himself willingly delivered His physical body and spiritual soul over to on our behalf, so that one day, we who have believed in His death and resurrection will also be physically raised with Him in our glorified bodies.
Point being, obssessively healthy eating (key-word is “obssessive”) is not something I believe a follower of Christ can rightly do, because obssession points to idolatry and worship of something other than what man was created to worship.
All that to say, I believe your comment rightly fits in with the theme of the post itself and if blogs were a place for academic and wholistic writing, then the author would most likely have written-in a section touching on your concerns.
I agree dear… lots of ditches out there to fall into. Women anxious to do their best can sometimes get sidetracked on bunny trails that aren’t fruitful. I am a 55 yr old mom of 5 (2 still at home) and Grandma of 11.. have had my time with dairy goats, gardening etc. I, too reached the point where I realized we cannot reinvent the wheel in every area of our lives ( homeschool, homebirth, bake bread, make cheese, grow and can all the food etc. etc. etc.) however I will go on record to say that as I am able time-wise, I enjoy gardening & preserving, baking etc.. I always felt it was good to have these skill “just in case” but for us to get all worked up about not eating something if the grain is not soaked or other things does seem profitable. I want to serve the Lord and my family doing my best, but the fear of what ifs to Him.
VERY WELL SAID!
Love this post, it is something I need to take to heart. I still feel very strongly about healthy whole foods that don’t have dangerous ingredients added to them, and I think it is sad that food companies have gotten away with doing that so much so that most americans don’t even realize what is in their food. I feel strongly about advocating for those companies to stop doing that & educate people, as I feel it is totally backwards & we should be eating natural healthy foods that are provided to us–not chemicals. These foods are in reality causing a whole lot of disease and pain in this country. However I can’t let myself become obssessed about it. I must rest in the fact that one can’t be free if they are chained to food, whether it be overeating or chained to obsession about cooking/baking, healthy eating etc. Once I free myself from the power that food has over my life and break free from that idol in my life and just see food for what it is, a way to nourish my body, then the rest of the issues surrounding food will go away. And the only way I can do that is through Jesus Christ. So, back to the start, I need to put my faith in Him and lean on Him to break the bondage with food, my relationship with HIm is the catalyst of everything else and only He can heal me and give me freedom. It is hard not to stress about it with all the new things you hear lately but thanks for reminding me to give it all to Jesus and the rest will follow 🙂
AMEN!!!! High 5 to ya sistah!
🙂
The whole Paleo thing makes me bristle. Jesus said he was the bread of life. Why would he have said that if bread was poison? Anyway, I loved your blog and your thoughts!
Ya know – I piddled with the Paleo idea for a while… I tried to justify it in my head, but I agree with you. He didn’t call himself Almond Flour.
Thank you for describing concisely and in a well-thought-out way exactly how I feel. I went through the same cycle where I just felt like EVERYTHING was bad for me/us, and I was just stressed about food. I finally had to let it go and just pray over our meals, and do my best to feed my family healthy meals within our budget, exactly like you are describing. Thank you thank you for the encouragement!!
PS. I hope you don’t mind if I share this on my blog!!
Share away – and thanks for the reminder. I was having a freak out today about milk. LOL
I love you in SO many ways for this post. Thank you. THANK YOU. And Lord…help us as we all seek to glorify you day by day whether eating or in whatsoever we do.
Amen.
This. Was. Awsome! Thank you.
🙂
As I read this your words made my heart smile. Thank you!
And your comment made me smile. 🙂 Thank you.
I SO SO love this column! You are absolutely AWESOME! Amen to everything you said!!!
And all the people said amen. Thank you!
Absolutely agree!
I wonder though, if there was this much controversy when packaged goods were first introduced and people went around and promoted them. Surely, our recent ancestors raved about how easy mixes and canned soups made their days and how close to home made they tasted. The ads sure did. Ads for margarine sure demonized butter, and so on. My grandma’s cupboards were full of convenience foods that I’m sure she didn’t grow up eating and my mother’s kitchen was full of them too. Somehow, packaged goods took over our culture and I’m sure people talking about them had something to do with it. I’m not sure why there is so much controversy about trying to get back to cooking from scratch, etc…
Wow – balance – right here on the internet. Thanks for the lone wolf voice of sanity, it was refreshing.
Great post!!!! I totally agree!!!!
So well said!!! Thank you for charing!!!!
Oh. My. Goodness. YES!!!! This is so well done! Everything you mentioned in this post is why I avoid all the “healthy” blogs like the plague! I don’t need another dose of the “heal yourself” kool-aid or the daily discouragement that what I’m doing isn’t enough! Obviously from reading the comments, this strikes a chord! Thanks for putting into words what so many of us are feeling! Sharing 🙂
This article is great. These are EXACTLY my thoughts on real food. I’m sharing this on my FB page. HOME AGAIN Jiggety-jig . Thank you SO MUCH!
Amen! Well said! I am with you & agree whole heartily! Keep on blogging!
Thank you for this wonderful post! It was a much-needed read. God bless!
I completely agree on all your points. I have too felt overwhelmed at trying to live and feed my family only “clean food”. To eat wheat or go gluten free?? Also, like you said canned tomatoes were a hard one for my until I realized that I cant afford not to. I will do the best I can and make the most healthy choices whenever possible, I will cook all our meals from scratch and not by processed frozen meals, but I will treat my boys to a pizza shop and a bag of Oreos occasionally, because quite frankly every child needs to know how to properly dunk and Oreo 🙂
No dunking! 🙂 I just like to eat it whole. I’m strange.
I love this post so much! Thanks for writing it.
God gave me the same epiphany a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been trying to figure out why I get chronic headaches. Every time I think I find a link (whether environmental or food) it falls through. I’ve been wanting to get on a whole foods (organic, raw, GMO free, etc.) thinking it would heal me, but our family can’t afford it right now (at least the raw milk, etc., I do my best w/ organic and from scratch baking). I’ve gone crazy trying to keep my family healthy through eating well, immune boosting foods and from scratch herbal tonics (ie. elderberry juice). They still got sick last week. I had a doctor friend (Christian) remind me that we do the best we can, but like you said, we still live in a sin filled world. What makes me think I can make my family completely healthy w/o His hand? We will never have heaven on earth until Jesus comes back. I’ve since given myself a break and released all my fears back to God. I will do my best to feed my family healthy and not feel guilty if I’ve had a crazy week and need to buy a loaf of bread (with, gasp, GMO ingredients!!) instead of make it. If our immune system is supposedly built up from regular healthy eating — it should be able to handle some foods that aren’t so healthy some of the time. But that’s still not the point. God knows how many days we have. I will be a good steward and do the best I can to feed my family healthily and leave the rest up to Him!
THank YOU!!! What a lovely, well-written, well-thought-out, simply-put thing to read.
I had a similar conversation with my MIL about 15 years ago when she was on my case concerning the vitamins we were (or weren’t) taking. She’s not a Christian so VITAMINS are/were her “salvation.” Just take the right ones and you’ll live to be a ripe old age with all yer parts in workin’ order.
I wrote back telling her that we believe/acknowledge that we live in a fallen world, ruined by sin, that no one lives forever, that no amount of vitamins will not stop the inevitability of death. Most importantly that our trust was and wold remain in Jesus–not in vitamins–and the redemptive work Jesus had done for us.
She lived another ten years, and I never heard another word from her concerning the life preserving benefits of vitamins or mineral supplements.
This post was in direct response to all those who ASKED for her thoughts on it. To put that in line with belief in Jesus Christ? Wow. #downer
OK, then shame on the people who need a pontification on the rightness or wrongness of such a trivial issue. How did anybody get into a mindset to take this subject matter THAT seriously? And treating the topic that seriously is still ridiculous to the point of shameful. Take a look around you: the Church is beset by heresies from without, unspeakable corruption from within (which goes untreated in almost every denomination), and we live in this country in a state of war with many young people dying overseas. There are people going hungry. In plenty of places there are Christians being persecuted. And THIS is what somebody needs guidance on? Can you get any more insular? If you lived in the gravel, do you think you could more easily mistake the miniscule for the major?
I have to admit, when I read the article I thought that she was making the same point that you are – we don’t worship our food; we worship Jesus, so let’s get our heads out of our kiesters and keep what’s important in perspective. I didn’t get the impression that she was saying that you HAVE TO feel the same way about whole foods to be a true Christian. I think you’re reading a little too much into what she’s saying.
Also, isn’t it ironic that you feel the need to “take a stand” against someone who’s “taking a stand” on something that’s not worth “taking a stand” on?
I think you’ve missed the mark and the point of this post, jeriwho. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know about the whole foods movement that’s sweeping through our nation right now. With all the bloggers touting the evils of Monsanto and other proponents/manufacturers of “frankenfood”, avoiding anything non-organic, processed, artificial, bpa-containing, etc has become almost an obsession in many circles, including Christians. While I myself am a 100% natural, whole foods advocate, I can see even in myself how easy it is to cross the line into idolizing what we put in our bodies and putting our faith in that rather than in God. Our bodies our a living sanctuary for God, and I believe it’s our duty to fill it with the best sustenance at our disposal and that our budgets allow, but what the author is saying is to not put our faith in that as a kind of “god” that can save us from the perils of this world (which so many health food bloggers seem to imply).
Actually, I needed an article like this to remind me that, yes, it is good to eat whole foods, but that I shouldn’t freak out when I can’t afford to from time to time, as if I’ll die if the meat I’m eating came from a cow that wasn’t fed organic grass. Why do I think this? Because the society I live in tells me this. But, in reading this article, I am reminded that food is NOT my god and I should not overextend myself to buy organic and unprocessed above other things. Jesus Christ should be my top priority.
Really, please don’t be “holier than thou.” There are many, many things that are so stupid compared to what others are going through, such as me getting a new phone after two years, or me worrying what suit my husband should wear at my brother’s wedding on Sunday, or me worrying about the gluten content in the pizza my dad made. I realize that there are so many other things I should be worrying about right now, such as the child in Bangladesh I sponsor, or my brother-in-law in the Marines who will be deployed a few months from now, or the millions of starving children on the planet. But wouldn’t you agree that it is SO easy to get trapped in our little bubble so much of the time?
So, yes, a pointless article like this (in the grand scheme of things) is necessary for people like me to chip away at one thing that being wrapped around my mind.
There is some irony here, jeriwho, in the fact that you felt the need to “take a stance” against the poster’s stance-taking. It would be better to find a more gentle and encouraging way to respond to this post.
I think that this article is much needed in our society today ESPECIALLY within the church. It’s interesting that so many people focus on their food choices with such fervor these days.
Do you know what the largest food issue is in the world?
Having enough.
I hope that gives some Americans a greater perspective. We spend so much of our days agonizing over our choices instead of just living for Christ. I suppose we all have our idols. I certainly, to my shame, have idols. I pray that I would think deeply about repenting of my idols and that those of you that spend an inordinate amount of time “thinking” too much about this issue will repent too and just live for Christ.
Thank you so much for your words, they make so much sense. As a nurse who works with children with cancer, I know for a fact that whole foods and even just plain eating healthy, while good for you, will not prevent all ills. Comments to the contrary can be so hurtful and unnecessary. When a health crisis strikes I think everyone goes over their actions and blames themselves (needlessly) and for others to do it is incredibly hurtful.
As someone who was chronically ill as a child I heard over and over again that God only gives you what you can handle. While I may have questioned that from time to time, I have to agree that God is the one who directs your life. Your choices can have some influence obviously, but we don’t direct our lives God does.
Just don’t buy GMO!
I think her point is to give ourselves a break if we can’t keep up with all the do’s and don’ts. This would be something I let slide instead of going hungry if I have no other options at the time. I know how horrible GMO’s are, but if we are regularly eating non-GMO, our bodies increased immune system can handle a few GMO foods if not consumed all the time.
There is no justification what so ever to say that. None, what so ever. There is no proof to make such a comment. I eat gmo beans right out of the field and corn also. I don’t have horns growing out of my head nor do I glow. I’m rarely sick, so,e as my family. Science has proven time and time again despite critics that have a flawed view of the fall and science. God has given us a great means I order to feed us. Just like hybrids when they were introduced and the green revolution. But according to some it would be better to reject Gods wonderful blessings and go with a flawed view of food and how we go about feeding billions. You can not meet the needs of billions with organic, chemical free local only grown food, can’t be done. It all seems good, especially as we Americans sit in our worm homes and have stores filled with food. But do we ever think about those in other countries that are not as lucky? Do you reall think they care where that food is grown or what kind of genetics it came from? When you make comments like you just did it shows a complete misunderstanding of the science and or a complete disregard for honesty. I would rather think it’s just that you have not really done your research. Bio fortified is a good blog site as is the GMO pundit. Look them up and read and domr fall for such rubbish that the food nazis throw at us.
If other countries have banned GMOs because they don’t know of their safety, that says a lot to me. Also, one must take everything the FDA says with a grain of salt – they are also the ones who said that Sweet-n-Low was safe to consume.
if eating only whole foods would keep someone from having a miscarriage apparently those during the 1500-1800’s didn’t know about it and must have been eating processed foods somehow as the women during that time had NUMEROUS miscarriages! Thanks for your article and keeping the focus on what really matters.
Thank you! I was sitting here worrying about my blood pressure and my health and came across your post. The Lord knew I needed it. He is my God- not food OR medicines. So common sense and natural. May God bless you!
Never seen your site before, but I resonate with a lot of what you say. Read this in my bible time yesterday in Paul’s letter to Timothy: ” 3 men who… advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.” 1 Tim 4. Thanks for your thoughts, will check out the sites you mentioned. Blessings, Laura
Bless you, Ladies. It seem this clamor has reached a fever pitch the last while . It’s time to shut out the voices and listen to God about what is best for our individual families.
AMEN!
I pretty much love you for writing this. Thank you.
I’ve been where you were as well… overwhelmed and confused about what I eat. I took some time off from reading and watching anything health related to get out of the OCD state about food that I was in. I didn’t read diet books, but general books on nutrition – some Christian, some not. I agree with some of your points but am afraid this article will give people the “out” to be content about where they are in their nutritional knowledge. Most people are completely ignorant about what is truly healthy…90% of the money Americans spend on food is spent on processed food – 70% of which is gmo. These are not God given foods.
“everything is bad for you” – health experts may disagree on a specific diet but they all agree that veggies should be a primary in your diet and that we should be consuming approximately 75% akaline foods and 25% acidic. All the other stuff that is debated is just filler
“I say that we live in a fallen world – none of us are immune from the tragedies that are in it.” True, but many can be avoided. For example: 90-95% of cancers are related to diet and environment not genes. God is ultimately in control, but he has given us the freedom to choose how we live our lives and treat our bodies.
“God put food on this planet for us to enjoy. He also expects us to take care of our bodies – and He wants us to make smart choices.” YES! but man has genetically modified it and sprayed it with chemicals that our body doesn’t know what to do with. Look at people’s grocery carts – people don’t know what a smart choice is (yes i’ve judged!) Media and temptation dictate our diet.
“I will pray over each meal that I consume…because I believe that God honors my resolve to feed my family well. I believe that HE is the author of life.” On the occasion that we go to McDonald’s for dinner, I think my family will need to change our prayer…asking him to bless and use the food to nourish our bodies may be asking for too much of a miracle! 🙂
I am far from a perfect eater but I don’t feel guilty when I fall off the wagon, because i always get back on. I am confident in my nutritional knowledge because i have taken the time to educate myself and will continue to do so. Others need to be sure they do the same before they let themselves “cheat” once in awhile. They may learn they cheat at every meal.
Making healthy food choices does not make one a food worshipper. It’s true not all of us will die of sickness. Irony of it is some will die of accidents and tragedies BUT “I will satisfy your years with long life and renew your youth like an eagle’s”, Psalm 91:16 is much easier to claim if you are taking care of yourself and your household. Food, alcohol, drugs, etc. are all forms of addiction. Like anything in our Christian walk, eating healthy is a discipline that we have to enforce on ourselves. We owe it to our spouses and our children to give them the best care we can offer. After all “A wise woman builds her house….”
btw, Em…I am replying to your post because I agree with you.
I agree with a lot of your points and we shouldn’t be obsessed with food. I with my whole heart believe in God and believe he is in control. However, our food industry is not what it was way back then or even when my parents were young. People my mothers age (95) grew gardens and owned their own farms etc. But when the food manufacturers are putting arsenic (analyses was done and this was on the news) in apple juice and not to mention the preservatives in our food and who know what else and now GMO’s. I for one am concerned but I am not going to let it consume me. I do what I can. I have had stomach issues (acid reflux, gas, belching etc) for years. If you go through something like this and are as miserable as I have felt at times then you might understand. I also have RA and fibromyalga which even close family members don’t understand because they are not walking in your shoes. Everybody’s bodies are different and what is tolerated by one person may not be tolerated by others, same as with medications, so is it with foods. People develop food allergies, are you saying they shouldn’t be concerned with that. It is a proven fact that people with RA should avoid wheat. Do you know how much of our food products have wheat in it? Even candy has wheat in it! I’m sorry but my question is why are we putting wheat in almost everything. There is a guy that runs a place called Heavenly Acres in NC that took the bible (which tells us what to eat) and cured himself of Cancer not with drugs but with the food he ate. I believe that the foods spoken of in the Bible were fresh grown (not manufactured) food. They fished in fresh lakes (not the ones now that are polluted with pesticides). Or the fish farms we have now. Do we really know what is in our food? We are suppose to have the FDA to protect us which is a joke. They are the ones that approved the arsenic in apple juice. Just wanted to give another perspective on this subject from someone who (just like diabetics, celiac disease, etc) do need to be concerned with what we put in our mouth. But I agree who heartedly that there is so many different opinions on what is good for us and what isn’t. That is why people need to research and see the analyzes that are done and make your own decision. Myself I am going to start working with a nutritionist and start charting what I eat and how I feel each day. It is called an elimination diet. As much as my budget will allow me, I will continue to eat as fresh as I can.
Awesome, just awesome. You expressed so well what so many of us are feeling. God DOES honor the motivations in our hearts and most of us are doing the best we can with the resources we have. So much of the whole-food-organic-gluten free-raw-paleo mania is just that – mania pushed on us and it’s probably instigated in some slick marketing department while they are eating Twinkies and drinking Diet Coke.
Egads! This is so, so good and so, so timely! I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in August and the angst I’ve felt over what to eat and what not to eat and the number of folks who have said if you’ll become vegan or avoid all sugar or, or, or…God has numbered my days, not cancer, not the food I eat or don’t eat. I too try to feed my family the food God made for us to eat, but I do not want it to become my god. Thank you!!
Prayers for you right now, Monica.
Thank you, thank you, thank you…I am also sooooo weary of the endless food debates and very much appreciate this perspective!!!
I appreciate your encouraging post. My family has been sick all week and I was discouraged because we try so hard to eat “real” food. I needed a reminder to do the best I can and God is the one who is in control! Thanks again
Thank you for your post…I loved reading it!! A perspective with c-o-m-p-l-e-t-e common sense!! 🙂
I wonder if the first fruit Eve at off “the tree” was organic?!
i totally agree. I once wrote a post called “real food is not my religion” – inspired by your sentiments expressed here. However I do want to say that, I don’t think whole foods will save me, but they sure do make my time here on earth more comfortable. That said, I agree that those of us who espouse the virtues of whole foods need to keep it in perspective. Thanks for tackling this touchy subject! (this is my first visit to your blog… but hopefully not the last!)
I’m with you – I love my whole foods…warm homemade bread with butter smeared all over it. Beats McDonald’s any ole day. 🙂 However, I’m not past having a fry now and then. Ha!
Oh, I just took a long, cleansing breath. GOOD FOR YOU. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I also am so weary–though I am also attempting to feed my family the most wholesome and healthy foods that I can–of the food police, disguised now (gasp!) as whole-food devotees. I’d like to encourage you to visit my blog sometime soon. I really like the blogs you mentioned. Here’s mine:
http://vomitingchicken.com/about-me/
Great blog !
Love this!
Wonderful wisdom on this topic. Thanks so much!
Totally agree, Food is a idol to most Americans in some form or another. That is why I believe fasting is such an amazing tool that Jesus and others showed us. We are meant to be spiritual being, not physical. Fast kills our freshly desires just like it did for Jesus in Mark 4:4. If Jesus could beat satan himself through fasting and prayer shouldn’t we be fasting and drawing closer to God and be beating our strongholds in our lives?
Yahooo!!! That’s all.
THANK YOU!!! Very sane, balanced perspective!
Thank you for this post. You’ve put into words, how I’ve been feeling on the subject for a few years. While I appreciate and follow the whole foods movement.. I refuse to make food my god. Thanks again!!!
AMEN!!!!
Stacy, thank you for composing these thoughts into words. Nurturing bodies, souls, and families through a whole food lifestyle is my passion. So is writing about it. And I also have been frustrated to see the very political position food has begun to take in our culture in the form of the whole food debate. I’ve had to take a step back at times at ask myself where my priorities lie in what I write, and whether my purpose is to elevate and glorify a way of eating, or the Creator who fashioned these foods to provide us with a more abundant life here on earth. Your post is a great read. Thank you!
another Amen! Thank you for your wise comments. As a side note for someone who enjoys healthy eating… stress, strain and financial burden over what you eat might affect your physical and mental health more than pesticides and bad fats.
awesome my wife of 41 years ( married at 18) and I concur…food is part of what sustains us..praise and worship..fresh air and good water are more important..we only have a small amount of time left to share the true liberating gospel of Jesus to a dying world..let us make level paths for our feet and eat what God gives us to eat with thanksgiving..blessings from a gray hair..
I love this post so much! I identify with your conclusion so much. I began my whole foods journey 8 years ago… I was trying to do everything that all the bloggers were talking about all at once. I drove my husband crazy! It wasn’t sustainable for me. We have now found peace. thank you again!
This is great! Well said and great perspective! Thank you for posting this!
Amen! I have some family members who believe if they get sick they ate something they weren’t supposed to. I feel as though I’ve been screaming what you just posted for a while now.
That is awesome!
WOW! This article is great! Health can become an idol with food as the main focus. Your whole blog is great and the way you have chosen to live godly in your money choices, your health approach and keeping God front and center. Thank you for sharing the gospel, plain and clear. Looking forward to reading more about your family’s journey every day.
I went to college with Laura from “Heavenly Homemakers.” She is really as amazing as she seems. I love her blog, and I love yours. Thank you, Stacy!
She’s my hero. 🙂
Thank you!!! I’ve been a vegetarian for over 20 years, and generally eat healthfully, but all these supposed “restrictions” (no canned food, no gluten, organic only, no grains, nothing in a box, etc. etc.,) led to me standing literally paralyzed in the supermarket wondering what in the heck was left to buy. (I cannot afford to go all organic or buy everything at the farmers’ market). We live in a culture where people literally believe they can “save themselves.” No, you can’t. I’ve known ultra-healthy vegans who had heart attacks while jogging, and 80-year-old chain smoking, lard-eating men who were going strong. Do your best and realize that ultimately GOD is in control, NOT YOU.
LOVE what you had to say! It’s very similar to the place I found myself and the outcomes I’ve chosen for myself and my family. After going on a search to become a full out naturalist in every way that I could possibly take on (I’m a black and white kind of girl, so I jumped in with both feet), I hit a point in my health search when certain phrases started to really bother me from the mouths of naturalists: “If people only new the truth, they would change the way they eat.” & the claims of “truth,” or being able to “control” so much of the world and your future and outcome or the amount of time and devotion given to the subject (in what I can only assume has taken over time and devotion that the Lord would like to claim for Himself at times). If we’d spend half as much time researching and cooking and stressing over the things that can kill us & focus on the one we know can save us, we would certainly take in some unhealthy things….but we’d have spent more time with where it counts. My mind felt cluttered by it all and I recognized that after a few months I was hearing fears and looking to ‘man’ for wisdom instead of hearing the Lord. When I tried to rid my kitchen and home of all things unnatural, I felt myself go into a place of feeling overwhelmed and stressed and consumed. I specifically felt like the Lord spoke to me and said that I needed to let go and give that energy back to Him. So I made better choices than I used to in some areas and let go of any and all guilt associated with things that were not fully natural.
I know many naturalist girls and they have a great devotion to the Lord, so that’s a confusing thing to look at, and luckily, it’s not my job to judge their ability to balance it all!
I don’t discredit whole foods nor have I stopped trying to feed my family homemade meals with whole foods on a daily basis. BUT, I won’t be run by food. I won’t let it consume me and I can’t spend more time on it than I spend on God. I can’t give it more space in my heart and mind than I have for my creator. There is a balance out there for everyone, and each person has a different balancing point for this topic. I feel like I’m aware of mine. I let go of guilt about a year ago but chose not to let go of a determination to do what I can. Figuring out “what I CAN do” without stress or frustration or having it take over too much of me is the balance I look for and try to maintain. Thanks for letting me write my thoughts out with you!
Anytime! 🙂
Such wisdom! Thank you for sharing.
This is spot on. I’ve done several interviews on how my desire to eat whole/healthy became an obsession (orthorexia) and led to anorexia. http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=10173614
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I feel like I’m never crunchy enough for the ultra crunchies and too weirdo whacky for the mainstream folks, but we’re just trying to do our best with the knowledge we’ve been given so that we can be obedient to God and seek Him in everything. Food has been such a journey for us in dealing with our youngest who has diagnosed failure to thrive and autism spectrum before we found out about his many food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances, and so many well meaning people have tried to tell us what version of diet we should be doing…it’s exhausting! I have learned that His grace is sufficient, and I can rest in that even as we work diligently for healing and a life of wellness. <3
Thank you 😉
Wow!!! The best thing I have read on how to eat EVER!!!! Thank you for sharing your heart. What a blessing to know God is sovereign over all, even those peanut M & M’s at Christmas!! 🙂
” They’re apples…and raw apples are better than colored, sweetened, and flavored applesauce in Aisle 6. Amen.”
I almost cried reading this post. I have had so many debates with myself in the produce section over what is “healthy” I felt like I was going crazy! And there have been so many articles backed up by “scientific evidence” that say the exact oposite (meat will kill you-we crave meat because its vital, cut out all fat-eat tons of fat but only the good fats, sugar is the worst thing in your body-sugar is needed, eat sugar and you will get diabetes-cut out all sugar and you will get diabetes….aaaarrrgggg!!) That I am ready to pull my hair out and quit eating altogether!
This post is exactly what I have been craving! You have reinded us that its not so much about what we eat, but of eating well, living well, following out hearts, holding everthing in light of Love, and keeping worry off our plates. If we put rigid lines to our eating, then we have once again missed the point and traded freedom and trust for religion and rules. This post is nothing short of a good healthy dose of balanced opinion mixed with a ton of truth-pure genious. You, my dear, just reminded us of our humanity, and of the grace of God towards it.
Thank you.
Hi, dear ladies! I ‘m Portuguese born in Mozambique living in Portugal after an experience of 3 years in Malaysia and 1 year in Indonesia. As much as I can understand Portuguese culture in this matter is way far from American’s and Malaysians and Indonesians (Chinese descendants)… – those who I met personally… And in all other matters we need months upgrading on politics and economics (it takes about 5 to 8 months for a economic crisis to be felt on Portuguese pockets). And culturally we were 30 years later than you but now I can say maybe 10 years… Nevertheless, I agree, even too much exercise can cause some joints’ and other problems. I completely agree with you in having balanced meals and cooking from scratch – I can not cook otherwise and I don’t have the choices you American’s have! Everything is expensive nowadays in Portugal and I have to buy the cheaper I can hoping get a good meal for my kids and family. My kids do enjoy pizza or hamburger now and then and I enjoy buying or cooking those for them! We will not die from a once in a month junk food meal! I love desserts and I am good in making and baking and even inventing and of course eating them too!!! So God never made me feel bad up to the time I got too heavy (+20kg than my healthy weight)! Now I am balancing my desserts! I researched the Bible and found out that Jesus ate fish and bread (by the way… Portuguese bread is awesome and all my American friends who came for a 10-15 days visit put about 3-4 kg on). And pork and some seafood are not good and the Bible say we should not eat them. But then I know Peter had a vision of all “forbidden” animals and the Spirit of the Lord told him to eat… this is not confusing… the only thing is not to scandalize the brethren. I eat pork and seafood sheldon though I avoid to… Thank you for this and have a blessed 2014!!!
Amen! I’ve been struggling so much with this very issue, and realizing that though caring for my family’s health is good, the heavy load being piled on my back is not from God. Finding this article today was such a blessing!
I’m glad to hear that. 🙂
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Rom 14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Rom 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Rom 14:18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Rom 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Amen and Amen!
As a mother of 6, including one child with Asperger’s/ADHD, I struggled with all the people who claimed that 1) if I only fed him the right things, he would be healed from his autism (getting rid of gluten and casein actually made him WORSE…disclaimer…I know GFCF does help some children but not my son), and 2) that all my problems would be solved if I found the “right” supplements or right medicine (I don’t even want to get started about the debates about whether Rx meds should be used or not. Medicine, even natural medicine, is also a god many people worship. Although some of these things have helped, he is still not healed.
I know my Lord can intervene at any minute and touch him and heal him. This is not to say we are not to try to use “means” (healthy eating, good supplements, Rx meds), but ultimately my focus has to stay on Him to do the healing (or not, if that is His Will).
I love your refreshing honesty. ANYTHING can become a god in our lives. That’s why we need the REAL Savior, who transforms our thinking and gives us discernment in this world of false teachings.
Yep – anything. Cars. Money. Food. Anything – we have to tread carefully.
Praise the Lord for your real food balance. We try to eat as well as we can on this real food journey, too. Awesome that you guys are debt-free, too!
WOOHOO!!!! 🙂
Thank you for this post. I was about to fall victim to what I’m realizing is another distraction in a world full of distractions. This obsession with health and nutrition can quickly become an idol. My family also thanks you!
I think we all have to re-examine ourselves in this area…a lot. I know I do.
Such a great post, Stacy! I had to laugh out loud at some of your statements because they so deeply reflect my own thoughts, beliefs, and experiences! I remember spending almost an entire year completely engulfed in every food documentary that hit Netflix and then I pretty much hit the wall and watched nothing of substance for 2 years just to save my sanity! I practiced several different food philosophies and then we faced an auto-immune disorder that the Lord used to shake us out of the insanity. I am so grateful for the lesson, and desperately want to encourage others to learn through the wise warnings. Thanks for posting this! I love it!!!!!
I see that you linked a few other blogs on this topic! I’d love to share mine too. http://savvyhomemaking.com/turning-away-from-food-idolatry/
Thanks for sharing! Going to read right now. 🙂 I love finding like-minded women.
Thank you! This came at just the right time for me. I have fibromyalgia and I’m so glad to know that I’m not the only person that feels this way. Totally agree with you!!
Fibromyalgia is tough. 🙁
Stacy you are so right on about this food is not your god. I am the first to tell you that life happens. I ate very well thru both of my pregnancies. I breast fed both of my babies for a long time. I made all of their food from scratch and guess what! They both got type 1 diabetes within 5 months of each other this past year. People are quick to ask me if I gave them too much sugar and I always answer NO. They were kids that hardly ever got candy or any junk. I’ve learned that there is an inherent risk in living and everyone gets something. Auto immune things are on the rise and it’s beyond what we are eating. I thank God for modern technology and that my kids can live a good and long life with insulin now that their pancreas’ don’t produce it any longer. I no longer take anything for granted. I’ve learned so much and to be more compassionate to others around me. You are right that everyones days are numbered and God is the one who decides. Yes we do feel better when we eat well. Yes we continue to eat a healthy diet but we’re living proof that there are no guarantees and that no one goes thru life unscathed. In some ways I guess I used to be judgmental when I saw people with health problems and thought it must be their diets until it happened to us.
Our God is sovereign. 🙂 All we can do is our best, right?
Very powerful and moving. Thank you for your honesty and for showing it through love, not hate or condemnation. God bless! I’m just learning and starting to change my diet after a diagnosis of PCOS. Its so hard to keep everything straight in regards to healthy diet. Its so easy to feel overwhelmed with the list of do’s and dont’s and its even harder to not beat myself up for struggling with my diet. Thank you for shining Gods grace through your post! This was very encouraging, thank you!
If you’ve not heard of Trim Healthy Mama, I would suggest you check it out….I know people with PCOS have been very successful with it. 🙂
Your post here has confirmed a lot of what I feel God has been trying to show me lately about surrendering everything to Him – even my desire to control what goes into our bodies so that we live longer, healthier, etc. Thank you for speaking controlled, balanced truth. God is our Sustainer. Jesus is our Healer. The Holy Spirit is our Counselor. Thank you for letting Him speak through you.
Thanks be unto God…I need the reminder daily.
Stephanie, thanks so much for sharing your testimony here!!! 🙂
Hi Stacy,
I am Stephanie Reynolds, follower of CHRIST and working to make HIM LORD of my
life.
Thank you for your blog and this post.
I found you by googling MAKE MY OWN MOUTHWASH.
After getting scared reading all the STUFF I would have to purchase at Mountain
Rose, and thinking HOW AM I GOING TO AFFORD ALL OF THAT???
I kept googling.
Then I found your post with water, peppermint and tea tree oil. Well we have
well water at our house and I have the tea tree oil for cleaning, all I would
have to do is stop at the health food store and pick up the peppermint.
DOABLE so thanks.
Anyway, can I share something else with you that has been on my heart
Food is not salvation. I totally agree with you.
I had a baby 17 months ago, lots of miscarriages along the way until GOD
showed us embryo adoption and we were beyond blessed to receive 6 embryos, one
resulted in the in life of our daughter Hannah. I feel I am tearing
up writing this to you.
ok
So I have been ultra CONCERNED with what we eat and the ingredients and is it organic, pesticide free and all the rest. Our Christ Care group is studying Matthew and this verse stopped me in my tracks.
Matthew 6:25-34
New International Version (NIV)
Do Not Worry25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry
about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what
you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than
clothes?
WOW, I have been making a serious idol of food, thinking much more in a day about ingredients than JESUS CHRIST. I have been learning a lot lately about idols from PEACEFULWIFE.com, maybe you know her.
Anyway, I have been asking the LORD to change my priorities so that my focus in on HIM and not the best ingredients. So I was so happy to find this post and your blog.
I look forward to getting to know you more.
May Jesus guide you always.
Stephanie
I just found your blog (I was looking for recipes) for the first time today. This post just about made me cry. I am a perfectionist and whenever I read blogs from stay-at-home moms who bake bread with sprouted wheat and only use organic produce, or when I read lists of all the foods to avoid because they contain hormones or pesticides or GMOs, I just feel overwhelmed! There’s no way I can do all of that right. I can’t afford a lot of that stuff and don’t always have time to make gourmet meals (plus occasionally I burn things). Sometimes I just feel so inadequate.
Thank you, thank you, for reminding me that my worth does not come from what I do but from God who made me and loves me. What a refreshing truth that I need to repeat to myself daily.
🙂 Consider yourself hugged. Now, go burn dinner. Ha, ha! 🙂
This is my first time visiting your blog…thank you so much for writing this post! It is often so tempting to think of whole food, organic products, and natural products and remedies as our savior, and when you add to that the pressures of “honoring the Lord with our bodies”–it can be so overwhelming, especially with all of the conflicting views and opinions!
I appreciate your stance, and your willingness to proclaim that only Jesus can be our Savior–we live in a fallen world, where sin, suffering, and sickness abound–and there is nothing WE can do to change that. Thanks again!
🙂 Welcome! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment – I appreciate your support.
I am in tears right now! I have been weighted down and overwhelmed by all of my recent nutrition research. I am a mother of two preschoolers and am trying to learn how to cook from scratch and provide for my family in this area. Just yesterday I had a meltdown and felt like such a failure. You have just helped lift me up. Praise to God…I desperately needed to read this article. Thanks for showing His grace. Love to you in Christ.
Aw, Mama…you can only do your best. And don’t let that ever get you down. Take one day at a time. Make one healthy switch at a time…and know that sometimes, it’s gonna be take-out or a sandwich for dinner. God honors our efforts to feed our family to the best of our ability. 🙂 Chin up!
AMEN. You have voiced so many of the sentiments I’ve felt from the “whole foods” movement. It’s being set up as an idol, a legalistic way to live your life, instead of being seen as a measure of His grace. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
And I need a new dose of Grace every single day.
i just want to say THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! for this!!!!! i have struggled with this issue so much. i have been so “gung-ho” whole, organic foods and clean water (NEVER TAP WATER) that i was probably making other people sick! but the last few months i have really began to think about all this. what is the problem with my nice clean water from the tap? how horrible is it that i complain about that while people in 3rd world countries die from thirst and/or drink water laden with dirt. how dare i complain or get “high-minded” about my water source? same thing about food. anyway, i AMEN, SISTER!!! you to all you have said here; yes, we’ll feel better if we eat better, yes, eat local when you can, yes, filtered water is a little better for ya, no, we are not supposed to overindulge in JUNK at every meal every day, etc, etc. AMEN and THANK YOU for writing this!!!!!! and i add this…. when i was pregnant last year with my twins, i was put on a strict diabetic, zero carbs diet (even though i was not diabetic) and at lunch with a friend one day i was agonizing over whether the waiter refilled my unsweet tea with sweet ( i mean, really, really agonizing!!) JUST a refill. my friend said to me: “chill out, dawn!!! even crack babies survive!!!” so i got a grip on the reality of the world and realized, i CAN drink my tea even if there’s a little sugar in there!!! (and my twins DID survive and continue to thrive!) 😉
EXACTLY!!! 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment, Dawn!
My first time here. I absolutely love this post! Thanks for a Christian food blog that makes sense and takes all the pressure off.
You’re right, most whole foods blogs are nothing less than body, life, and food worship — and I, like you have found them discouraging and extremely stressful.
I’ll be back! Thanks!
🙂 I’m glad you’ll be back!
I do my best to feed my family in a healthy manner, but it all comes down to what the Bible says–everything in moderation. I like to bake my own bread (we just think it tastes better,) but if we have to eat bread from the store, I know we’ll be fine. I think the question to ask is–does it give glory to God? We can do that whether we are eating ma meal made totally from scratch or take out pizza. We just need to encourage one another and do the best that we can.
Encouraging one another is so essential – tearing each other down just doesn’t do any good.
What a great, biblical perspective! God has been extremely gracious to our family. When my husband and I first God married, we had no clue what to do. We weren’t believers (well… we were heretical idolaters), my husband was constantly unemployed, and I was a poor student. So… we didn’t eat very well. I had no idea how to cook (my husband taught me), and our life mostly consisted of canned soups and bagged salads. We got a lot of our canned stuff from the food bank to cut down on our grocery bills (groceries are EXPENSIVE out here in Nova Scotia, Canada). Then God used Way of the Master ministries to humble us and destroy our self righteousness and we started attending a bible believing amazing church when most of the mom’s homeschool and cloth diaper and live frugally and all that stuff. So that was my first introduction into a totally different lifestyle than I was used to. My pastor preaches all the time on enjoying things as good gifts that God gives us, and not to think that other things will save us (ie, jogging every day will save you and guarantee a long life). It is God that sustain our lives. Not our own efforts. But the key is that he uses responsibly and healthy living as a means.
I know this sounds weird, but the BEST thing that could have happened was my husband’s soy allergy. He has been sickly since he was a child, and has been getting recurrent pneumonia for the last several years. He has always struggled with weight and had to work really hard to keep it off. But then he kind of stopped “struggling” after we got married (LOL!), and became fairly overweight. Last year, my husband’s body decided to put the red light on soy. We couldn’t figure out what was making him randomly throw up in the middle of the night or the morning with horrible stomach pains and diarrhea. The doctor’s thought it was his gall bladder. So then I put two and two together and figured out that every time he ate something with soy in it, he would throw up and have all those problems several hours later.
That was God forcing us down a whole foods path because he loves and cares for us and knows that I would have never started cooking stuff from scratch unless he gave a slight nudge (okay, maybe shove) into it.
We have since also figured out that my husband can’t have sesame (same symptoms as soy except he also gets hives), cow’s milk (makes his asthma worse, causes wheezing and a stuff nose), and… gluten! Gluten causes all sorts of problems for him. For him, it causes IBS and swollen joints (the same symptoms as gout), and because of all the irritation in his bowels it also caused him not to absorb fat soluble vitamins like vitamin D (which he was tested to be deficient). No WONDER any kind of sickness that came around he would get it!
He also had constant (and I am CONSTANT… 24/7) heartburn that never went away. He had to take a proton-pump inhibitor (Rabeprazole) once a day to keep the acid reflux from happening. The doctors just shrugged and told him he had “GERD” (and “IBS” among other things), but now it’s completely GONE!!!
So since I started cooking from scratch and cut out his known food allergy/intolerances, he has never felt better! And I have slowly been feeling better to. I have a 3 year old and 1 year old, and they are healthy as well. I know what kind of things to look for now with my kids. I figured out my 1 year old can’t have any kind of milk. I introduced cow milk after I stopped nursing her after 1 year and she reacted horribly. Since I cut it out and have been feeding her rice, almond or coconut milk (which I try to make at home), she has been doing great!
God has been very good to us! I am feeling ambitious this year and I am going to plant a vegetable garden for the first time!! Thanks SO MUCH for your encouraging post!!! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your story here! I think everyone can draw great encouragement from your testimony. 🙂 I’m so glad your husband feels better!!
I can’t tell you how my shoulders dropped (stress falling off me)after reading this. Hubby has health issues and I’ve been feeling so stressed for trying to make all the “healthy” changes while balancing a tight budget. Thank you so much. I’m bookmarking for future re-reads.
🙂 Vickie – I pray that God will continue to give you relief from that stress.
Love this! I have so many friends that have made food or exercise an “idol”. I struggle with my own mini “idols”, don’t get me wrong…but I agree with and appreciate how you’ve put this into words.
🙂 Thanks, Ali!
Thank you for expressing what has been the back of my mind..that this has become an idol to some and I have often thought of people in ministry who just can’t keep up with this. I personally follow paleo because of several diagnoses .i have. I try to keep kefir and fermented veggies going, and good fats. But I can not afford the grassfed beef right now. And that’s okay. And yesterday I did in fact have a diet Pepsi….just because 😉
I love Paleo recipes. 🙂 We follow the Trim Healthy Mama eating plan – it’s similar.
Thank you for this post. This has been the biggest reason why we haven’t god completely crazy not the “real, whole foods lifestyle” I felt that the time that this complete change would require would take away from ministry and family time. We are slowly making changes and we ultimately trust that God is in charge of our bodies. Another thing that was always a deterrent fr us was church. My husband is a yuth and young adults pastor. If we as a family made a stance that we never eat refined sugar or boxed food, how was I gong to be able to go over when invited Into some else’s home, or join our youth group at pizza night, or enjoy a basket of cookies given to us at Christmas. We just had our third baby and received some wonderful meals from our church family. I would have been robbing them of being able to bless us had we said “no thanks we only eat whole food.”
Yes – and it’s for that reason we try to maintain a balanced approach…because I never want to keep someone from trying to bless my family in the only way they know how. 🙂
I so appreciate this post Stacey. I am single with no kids of my own and for some reason read tons of blogs that fall into the category of home-school, Christian, natural living moms. i live and work at an orphange in Mozambique for ten years now and care for, on average, 30 precious little boys, 4-8 years old. I have no control over their diet except what I supplement (my dorm is just one of many – we have about 260 kids altogether so the food comes from the main kitchen). Ok, all that background to say, I read these blogs because the lifestyle appeals to me and I am inspired to implement what I can, into my life and my boys. But I have grown increasingly weary of the sense of food being, well, god to many people, although they would not say that, it is the impression I get all too often. So thank you for sharing your commitment to health and healthy eating but in a balanced perspective! Laura
Life is about keeping a balance in all you do – even in food. 🙂
Thank you for your perspective. I am working through a “Paleo” diet and although it has helped me to feel better in some aspects, I have struggled with the concept of telling me that God put certain foods on earth that are suddenly “bad” for us. I feel like all foods (that God made) are meant to be received with thanksgiving and enjoyed, so I am not sure where my journey will lead me, but this is something to think on. Thanks again!
Sarah, I am very interested in the Paleo diet, so I understand where you’re coming from. I’m not saying that I think all foods are good for you. I’m saying that eating good foods all the time will not save you from sickness or death. It’s because we live in a fallen world that sin abounds. I have no problem with people on Paleo diets…I think it’s very interesting and like the meals they prepare. However, I do have a problem when people think a certain diet will “save” them when only Jesus can save. 🙂
So, continue on with your Paleo eating…especially if you’re feeling great! 🙂 We just need to remember where our true healing comes from – and all things in moderation. 🙂
I’ve been reading a lot about the Paleo way of eating recently – I think it could help keep certain sicknesses at bay that are genetic…
Thank you! I so appreciate your Christian perspective on this issue. I have been feeling the same way. God bless; thank you for your witness and willingness to share.
🙂 It’s nice to find like-minded people.
love this post! i have a hard time feeling guilty when I only buy some things organic. Especially when feeding my three-year-old it’s so stressing if I dont buy organic I feel like I am not feeding him the healthiest things he could be eating. Thank you for putting things into perspective I love this post!
We all struggle with the Mommy Guilt – so tell it to take a hike! 🙂
I love this post. And I would love to share our story…
For a long time, I have been praying and seeking wisdom on how to deal with my DH’s borderline high blood sugar. We have always eaten healthy and did the whole grains thing, but nothing would lower my husband’s blood sugar. He was not diabetic but if the situation wasn’t taken care of, he would become one.
well, a few months ago, I got hold of Wheat Belly (the book) and my husband and I went wheat FREE. Within 3 weeks, my DH’s blood sugar was normal!! Normal!! The only thing we don’t eat is wheat. He still eats potatoes, rice, corn, fruit, chocolate, even candy bar… all that does NOT raise his blood sugar, but WHEAT does. Any kind.. white, whole grains… if it’s wheat it will raise his blood sugar.
Now, we credit God for showing us the way. We really do! We had been searching and praying and God showed us what to do so that my DH can live a healthier life.
For each person, it could be a different thing… so yes, Jesus is the Healer… he is the One that knows us and what will make us healthier. He rarely healed people in the Bible the same way. He knew exactly what each one needed. 🙂
I appreciate your insights and you taking time to share with us all. 🙂
Merry Christmas!
I love the stories about how Jesus healed people. I’m sure those standing around rolled their eyes and dropped their jaw when he did the spit thing. lol
Thanks so much for saying this! I was reading a blog earlier today and it was all doom and gloom if you’re not eating whole foods. I appreciate your Christian take on eating healthy. I just found your blog and can’t wait to read more. Thank you again!
🙂 Life is too short for doom and gloom. Welcome! Nice to meet you, Tracy. 🙂
All I can say is…AMEN! Thank you for saying this! God bless!!!!
🙂 Thank you, Stephanie.
Amen! Thank you for sharing this wise and godly perspective. Since my son was born a year ago, I’ve been on a journey to healthier living and have spent a lot of that time feeling overwhelmed, confused, over-informed, and like I’ll never be able to protect myself and my family from all the things that can harm our bodies. You hit the nail on the head and I feel great freedom in being reminded that only Jesus, not food, saves.
I love how children make us re-evaluate our lives. 🙂 The same thing happened to me.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This was so refresshing to read. I recently began delving into the whole foods fad and have been so confused and sometimes down right stressed out over what to eat. Not to mention driving my husband crazy! Your absolutely right about God wanting us to enjoy our food but to be respsonsible about it. I happen to enjoy making things for my family from scratch but I don’t want to feel as if I somehow have failed them if we happen to eat store bought hamburger buns! I love your site and I wish you all the best! God bless you and your family!
Ppssssst!!! Today I bought whole wheat hoagie buns. Don’t tell. 😉
Thank you so much for writing that “food is NOT our savior”! I’m subscribing to your blog because of that. BTW, I clicked on this post from a post by Kitchen Stewardship in case you wanted to know how I found your blog.
Katie is so sweet. 🙂 Welcome…glad to have ya!
Stacy! I just found your blog and this post for the first time today, from the link off Katie’s blog Kitchen Stewardship. I couldn’t agree more with everything you wrote here. Thank you. Where we place our hope is something I’m always trying to communicate to people – whether it’s in our personal choices, professional choices, or spiritual choices – any choice is a chance to submit to and honor our true Savior Yeshua.
Yes, God wants us to make choices that honor His creation and ways – hence our family’s commitment to the general principle of moving in a direction of ‘the closer to how God made it, the better’ – but I’m certain that He does not want us obsessing about every little tiny detail. There are people to love and serve in the world, and I do not believe He wants us to have our focus turned inwardly in an obsessive way. And I’m also sure that He doesn’t want us judging others for their choices – that also seems to be a very common problem in the real food world.
If we are to discern spirits by their fruits, then we should definitely be cautious and suspect of anything that causes us to fret, worry, or judge. His spirit will always lead us to peace, trust, and grace.
Thanks again for being a voice for truth. 🙂
Fret and worry will kill us off before unsoaked grains. 😉 Thanks for the great comment, Lacey!
What a great post. Thank you. This is what my husband has been trying to tell me. I actually feel like my walk with God was suffering because I was so stressed out about food!
Give your husband a big ole hug. 🙂
I say AMEN to the whole post!!! Loved everything about it!!
Thanks for your comment, Whitney!
I just found this blog (recommended by a friend) and it could not have come at a better time. It’s amazing how God works through things like this for each of us individually… definitely subscribing to your blog. THANK YOU!
Tell your friend I said thank you!
Thank you so much for this refreshing blog post! I have been trying to learn more about natural living but find myself struggling with “obsessing” over it and I have definitely been feeling the struggle between knowledge and just the simple life of walking with God. It’s nice to know someone else out there recognizes the idol that natural living can become! God bless you.
It’s so easy to obsess over anything….we have to be ever vigilant. 🙂
Oh Stacy, if I could meet you in person,I would give you a huge hug!! Thank you for this post! I have been studying “diets” since my second daughter was born 5 years ago. I have gotten so deep into it that it caused so much anxiety that I became an extremist. To the point that I was putting a lot more energy and thought into what went into our mouths versus what was going in our minds and hearts? And the whole Bible focuses on our mind and hearts…not our bodies right? I have too gone down the many paths of no gluten, no eggs, no dairy, no grains, etc…to find some energy in my day. Guess what? Those diets zapped my energy due to the mental fatigue and social isolation they bring (since you can’t eat with friends or church people). Are there people that need these special diets? yes. My precious nephew is a brand new child because of the GAPS diet! But for many of us we don’t need these extreme diets. I would caution people to stop putting so much thought and time googling these diets unless you have real health problems. Because I had done such a disservice to myself that I literally came to a point that I didn’t know what to cook because “everything is bad”. That’s when I knew I was totally out of balance. I am still working my way out of that and it has been an uphill climb for sure. A book that helped me was called Health Food Junkies by dr. Steven Bratman. He is actually a naturopathic doctor and he warns people of extremes in eating and it really opened my eyes to what I was doing to myself. Thank you again for verbalizing what I needed to hear!!
Thank you so much for the book recommendation! 🙂
Well, I don’t believe in god, but I still appreciate the message behind your post. Thank you. It’s what I needed right now!
🙂 Thank you, Allison.
God helps those who help themselves. Those who stand around and wait for God to “heal them” are sadly misguided. God may take care of the sparrow, but only if he leaves his nest and finds the worm. Otherwise he will die.
And we will be unhealthy and crippled in our old age if we don’t take care of our bodies. Some of the fattest and most unhealthy people I see are at church. How sad to put so much stake in ‘the next life’ that you don’t live this one the best way you can.
Holly, I think you’ve misunderstood the point of my post. I do believe it’s important to take care of our bodies – if I didn’t, I would not have said “Is it true that eating mostly whole foods and whole grains is good for you? Yes (at least MOST people would agree on that). I can honestly say that when we eat foods that I’ve made from scratch, we feel better…our health is better – we are MORE immune to sickness…” And then I also gave a list at the bottom of the things that we plan to continue doing to stay healthy.
However, I do not believe that living this way gives us any control over our lives. Just because I eat a certain way does not make me immune to sickness or disease in this world. It’s a false sense of security. And most people worry themselves into a fit over the whole thing.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matthew 6:25, 27
To know that God is in charge, and not me, is the best security of all. 🙂
Great post! We could go insane trying to straighten out all the conflicting health information out there.
This reminds me of how I felt slightly convicted when I was reading the book “Fast Food Nation” because I had other godly books that could benefit my soul, while fast food isn’t even something I consume.
Insane is right – I know, because I almost went there. LOL
I can so relate!I went through some tough times figuring what to eat, what not to eat, what to buy, decide to make cleaning and many other products from scratch, grains, no grains, etc. I was very, very, stressed! I felt guilty about eating, well I didn’t wan to breath! However, once I brought this all to Jesus’ feet (duh! Should have done that first), He in his love and wisdom gave me an answer and guidance on my wanting to be healthier quest. Thanks for sharing!!!!
I do that all the time – think, “God, I should have come to you first.” 🙂
I never think about my trying to feed my family healthy causes me not to need God. That is a pretty extreme statement. And when we know something is unhealthy, and most of what we buy off the shelves these days is because of all the ‘stuff’ they use to preserve it and declare I will eat it anyway because I am tired and it tastes good, seems to me to make our appetites into an idol. I am in agreement to do the best we can do and to trust God for the rest. In spite of my health problems that I now have, I thank God that He has given me wisdom to know what to do to have better days. And I do trust His providence and sovereignty over my life that even this is working out for good. I have gained so much from Him in this weakness. I guess we all have different ideas on what doing our best is. And I do understand being tired of all the information. I don’t read those things myself. I try to keep it as simple as possible and do the best I can just trusting and knowing that this is not my home. It will be perfect in heaven! 🙂 Blessings!
Vicki, again I’m sorry that you feel as though my statement was directed towards you…it was not. I’m addressing extremists here. It doesn’t seem from your comments that you’re one of those. 🙂
And yes, I too look forward to heaven when none of this even will matter!
It’s unfair to say that people who try to emphasize healthy food versus the unhealthy food are making food a god. I lost my health 9 years ago and it is only from eating healthy and getting away from processed foods and such that I have been able to live a halfway normal lifestyle. If I did not watch what I eat, I would be homebound as I was in the beginning. Changing my diet made all the difference. I am personally weary from having to be careful (a necessity as my health suffers greatly from eating certain foods) and I wish I could just eat what I want. But I believe as a Christian I must be wise and ask God for the discipline and strength to eat the best way I can so I can continue to at least go to church! This author would feel very differently if she was struggling every day to stay above her illness. And can’t we see the effects of our American diet? More and more allergies to the point that children can no longer eat normal any more and diseases popping up daily with names like lupus, MS, fibromyalgia, etc. It’s epidemic and, of course, we will still get sick even when we do our best. But as Christians we should do our best which is always the way we should live in every area to the Glory of God. And I have never personally heard anyone say that eating whole foods will make one totally healthy, but it may keep you from dealing with illness one day and does make a tremendous difference. I live this every day.
Hi Vickie. 🙂 I think you misunderstood what I was trying to say. I did not say that people who emphasize healthy eating automatically make it a god. BUT, I do think there are several who reach that point. My post is about watching out….being careful not to reach this point. I still choose to feed my family well, and I know that God calls me to that. However, I do not believe that God thinks that because I feed my family well that I no longer need Him.
“This author would feel very differently if she was struggling every day to stay above her illness.” I have several family members who have health issues that force them to eat a certain way (including my daughter)…and I have never once thought they were making food “god.” It’s an attitude that I see in today’s culture…a few blogs that have gone off the deep end – those are the ones that I am addressing…not those who are taking care of their health by eating a certain way.
I am sorry that you took what I said the wrong way – but I hope I’ve explained myself a bit better.
Thanks so much for this!! We have to eat gluten free, we try to eat whole food out of choice. I’ve watched the movies…read the books… my grocery budget has become outrageous!! I know I can not do anything about the gf need, but I have been going crazy as well!! Thanks for putting perspective in it all!!
🙂 You’re welcome – thanks for the support.
I thank God for your wisdom in this post! I have been down the same road you have and come to the same conclusion…although I am still tempted and drawn back into the “must-eat-perfectly-frenzy” and sometimes still feel guilty or worried that I am not eating and cooking perfectly to support my body and my husband’s health. I had also stopped reading blogs and today I felt like reading them again…guess which post I came across first?? : ) I think God is telling me something! : )
I too struggle with the desire to be “perfect.” That’s just a weakness of mine – so I need y’all to keep me accountable! 🙂
I am SO with you, sister!!! I’ve recently taken up what might be considered healthy/unhealthy fusion cooking. While my mom says, “Gross!” I say, “I did what I could in those 10 minutes…and I feel pretty darn good about it!” Like my hotdog/swiss chard wrap. It was what I had in the fridge…and it was fast! http://arearrangedlife.com/2012/05/22/fast-and-fresher/
LOL I’ve had plenty of those “it was in the fridge” meals. 🙂 Aren’t they fun?
Great post. I think it’s very clear what you’re speaking about, and your words touch on a lot what I’ve been thinking about the last few months. We did GAPS for a short time and it got to be too expensive and time consuming, and our family didn’t really need to go on GAPS. It separated us from our church family (unless I did all the cooking and brought our meals to people’s homes…). Our ailments were minor and didn’t warrant a big step like GAPS, compared to those who really need it and benefit from it. My husband is still off gluten though, and we still eat traditionally where we can, and I am at my limit of the amount of time and energy put into food. I’m not adding anything else in, as at this point, it would come at the expense of my family’s well being (spiritually, daily demeanor/moods, time spent together, etc). I just had to tell myself that food and health is not everything! And it’s not, particularly if you’re looking at a view of eternity. Physical training/health has value, but we’re on shaky ground if it starts to overtake our life and affect relationships and church life when health issues don’t warrant such a step.
I’ve been challenged a lot not to judge others for what they eat, or place guilt on myself because I buy grocery store meat (for example), and I’ve also given myself and my family more license to at times do what’s easier and cheaper, and not healthier. I love your list at the end. We love our raw milk, kombucha, yogurt and kefir, and stick to avoiding certain foods that I just don’t feel comfortable buying, but following a certain diet to a T? No, I make it fit where it works in order to use the resources God has given us, to bless others in our life with fellowship and hospitality, and to give healthy food to my husband and kids but allow treats and snacks that I don’t have to spend time making…it works for us.
I decided a while back to not feel guilty in the least for letting my son receive lollipops and fruit snacks from folks at church who love him and enjoy giving out treats. And, I don’t have to buy them because he gets them there, LOL!!
Thanks for writing this and I’m glad others are posting about it too!
Alicia, you put it perfectly…I’m so glad we’re all not feeling guilty any more. 🙂 Thank you for the fabulous comment!
AMEN!
I too have been irritated, condemned, and anxious, from the things I have read regarding healthy eating. I too am SICK and TIRED of the debate about grains. God made grains, He calls bread the staff of life, and it is so important that Jesus is called “the bread of life”. That said I have a daughter who, due to the fallen nature of this world, suffers from autistic symptoms, and is on the GAPS diet. That diet was a gift from God to us, it has really REALLY helped her. But it didn’t SAVE her, only Jesus can save her.
Another topic I am getting tired of is frugality, especially how to be frugal and eat healthy, whole foods. I cannot live up to that “standard”. I have a very frugal budget, sometimes it forces me to eat “unhealthy” things. I’m tired of feeling like I am dooming my children to a life of sickness because of it. Fear is not of God. I am going to do the best I can, because I believe God wants my best. But I can in no way, create health in my children, or keep them healthy. I can care for them and share the gospel, which will bring them eternal health.
Thanks for saying out loud what I have been wrestling with for two years.
I’m with you.
Thanks for standing with me. 🙂 Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18) and since our Lord is perfect love, it would go without saying that he wishes us to live without fear.
It sounds like you’re doing great to me – and handling it nicely. 🙂 We should all be a bit more like you. Thank you.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, but if you see anything in me worth copying, know it’s really Jesus you see. In my own power I’m really foolish, and make terrible choices, but the Lord has really been changing things in my spirit, making me more like Him… let us all be more like Him.
Amen to that.
Great post! I stopped reading many whole foods blogs a few years ago for the exact same reasons, but now I can read some of them again without feeling stressed out – only when I have time and primarily for recipes. Heavenly Homemakers and Keeper of the Home have always been two of my favorites too. I’ll have to check out the others you posted.
I do not want to go down the path where I am freaked out about everything my family eats. I do as much as I can when I can, I try not to be lazy about food prep, and I believe there is grace for the rest.
Besides, all the perfectly prepared whole food in the world isn’t going to do anybody any good if your family doesn’t like it and dinner turns into stress instead of family time. I would much rather my husband and children eat food that I prepare at home even if it contains ingredients I would rather they not eat. Of course, four teenagers at once has pretty much thrown my food “values” out the window anyway! 🙂
Thanks for a great post! I’m definitely subscribing.
Thanks Andrea! 🙂 I’m glad to have you.
I just don’t read most whole food blogs – they seem kooky to me. Just today I read one extreme blogger who said that green smoothies were detrimental to your health. Yeah. Okay. 🙂
I really appreciated this post. Life is so much about balance isn’t it? We have to do the best we can with what we’ve got, and I also believe that God expects us to make wise choices. But so many seem to take it too far. I mean, I read a comment from someone on a blog who basically said giving their kid 100% fruit juice as being a TERRIBLE nutrition choice. I was like “Huh. I thought I was doing my kids a favor not giving them the fake frozen stuff, or worse, powdered juice!” Ok, so yeah it’s better to eat a piece of fruit and get all the nutrition and fiber etc, but it seems out of balance to me to nix all drinks except water ALL the time. My family’s journey to healthy eating is a work in progress, sometimes a slow one. I have to afford the newer, better ways of doing things – and usually they’re more expensive. I have to get not only the kids on board, but the HUSBAND, and I have to have time to do it all. Thankfully, the human body is an amazingly resilient one, and God is in charge of it all in the end.
“I have to have time to do it all….” I think that’s where most of us are. We try to do it ALL, and none of us really have time for that. At least, I don’t. 🙂 Thanks for the great comment, Cheri!!
Hi there,
I really appreciate what you have to say. God has given food as a wonderful gift, and I happen to LOVE and far prefer the taste of ‘Whole Foods’. But I want to go on the record as saying that like you, I buy non-organic apples and other produce, and I don’t think M&M’s will kill you (though they might just kill me – they make me sick as a dog). Anyway,I just wanted to speak on behalf of the sick. There are a lot of people (especially those who have never even tried the ‘Whole Foods’ route) who are eager to jump on your bandwagon. A lot of people who eat ‘Whole Foods’ do so but their health won’t necessarily be affected if they didn’t. However, there are those who are chronically ill like myself (those with chronic fatigue, crohn’s, colitis, ibs, cancer, lyme disease, ms, autism, etc) who wind up ‘needing’ those healthy foods just to semi-function. I guess I’m just asking for people to understand and have compassion on those who are forced to be gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, soy-free, etc., simply because they get intensely sicker if they eat ‘unhealthy’ foods. For us, we don’t believe food will save us. We know it won’t, we’ve experienced that it won’t – we’re living all the time with chronic sickness and have had to learn through suffering to put our hope in God and the new heavens and new earth. We would eat more freely if we could!!! But sadly, there are those who misunderstand our motives for healthy eating (like misunderstand that eating gluten = intense gut pain, or eating sugar = crazy mood swings, etc) and accuse us of putting our hope in food rather than God. We are hurting, often lonely, seeking to trust God with all our hearts and hope for that day when the lame will LEAP for joy. It makes it harder when we are not shown grace for having to live with the condition we have to live with. Generally the paralytic is not judged for having to use a wheelchair, and I just yearn for those who are like me to not be judged for being forced to avoid certain foods and eat ‘healthy’ foods. I really hope you understand what I’m saying. I just wanted to let you know that the ‘sick’ can get a lot of undue flack for being forced to eat healthy foods.
I understand your stance more than you know. 🙂 I have several friends and family members with sicknesses and diseases that REQUIRE them to eat a certain way. Do I think they need to eat that way? You betcha! I’m not speaking to those in your crowd…just like I’m not telling my dairy-free friend, Erin, to feed her child milk and yogurt.
I AM speaking to those with condemning hearts. Those that tell everyone “Eat my way. It’s the only way….and it will save you from sickness.”
I believe 100% that food makes you feel better…I actually even stated that above. So, take heart. If there are those who are giving you a hard time because of what you don’t eat, just ignore them…the same way I ignore certain family members who give me a rough time about not allowing Annie to indulge in white sugar on a daily basis. 🙂
While I am not a devout Christian, I want to say THANK YOU for this blog post.
I am fed up with the almost cultish fashions that the Whole Foods blogging genre has developed.
I am done with it. DONE being told I dont spend enough. DONE being told that after thousands of years of natural preserving and fermenting on this planet,that suddenly if I dont use XYZ jar brand.. that my food might be bad for me.
So much guilt associated with not *doing this right* that I feel like I am at a PETA rally eating a steak.
So yes… time for me to bow out and follow my heart.
Sister, if you head to a PETA rally and eat a steak there….can I come with you? 🙂
Hahahahh You sure can. Please however bring a first aid kit. I fear that it may come in handy.
And a set of nun chucks. LOL
This is so excellent!! I’ve been on a transitional journey in regards to food prep for the family. It’s MADDENING! Praise God that He alone numbers our days. Thank you for this. Huge encouragement!
It is maddening sometimes. lol Good luck, LouAnne!
Awesome post! God is our great physician and He gives us wisdom. Have you checked out Healthy Families For God? Love Sara!!
I haven’t heard of that – thanks for the recommendation! 🙂
Thanks for this post. Eating the “right food” is getting way too complicated. God put us on this earth and wants us to be happy and healthy; to eat whole, real and local food, not to stress over each meal. Reading this was so refreshing! Loved it.
Thank you Shelley. 🙂
I LOVE this post!!! I subscribed to your blog about a month ago and appreciate your take on things. I am BRAND NEW to this whole food journey and feel overwhelmed and under informed on about a daily basis. I’m learning but so often get information overload and conflicting answers and find it soo hard to know which “expert” to believe. I get so weary of EVERYTHING being bad for us. So this post resonated with me!! Thank you for your honesty and for explaining things so well.
I’m also convicted by Leanne’s comment. to have an eternal mindset and be worried about people’s eternity should be my goal over everything else.
Thank you!!!
Leanne made an excellent point! 🙂 Thanks Cristi! Let me know if I can help you in any way on your new journey.
Thanks for this post! I had a similar realization a few weeks ago. I was becoming so passionate about eating whole foods, and it was mind-boggling (and saddening) how many people are so MISLEAD and just don’t know a thing about food! But it always came back to this for me… Sure, food is important for now. But it does not change eternity. If people were more educated about food, but still were mislead about Christ, what good does it do them for eternity? I need to be passionate about telling people the truth about the Gospel, not the truth about food!
I am VERY guilty of that in my own life – I should be telling more people as well. Thank you for the reminder, Leanne. 🙂
Thank you so much for this post. I started making eating a healthy diet a goal for my family a few years ago. But it has turned into information overload for me as I continue to read more and more (I tend to overdo things sometimes). And I was starting to feel bad when I fed my husband and kids “bad” food. I felt such a strong responsibility to keep everyone perfectly healthy so my kids (ages 1 and 2) would develop good eating habits. THANK YOU for reminding me their future is not in my hands – I need to trust God to give me the wisdom and knowledge to do what’s best for my family. I sometimes forget He’s not looking for perfection and that it’s OK to do what I can and leave the rest to him. God bless you.
Mischa, I’ll tell you what I tell myself….even if I was “perfect” I couldn’t keep my family perfectly healthy. It’s just not possible. I was trying to attain an impossible goal. Thank you for the wonderful comment. 🙂 I hope we can all “leave the rest to Him.”
I really loved this post! Thank you for writing it. I just celebrated my one year wedding anniversary and wish I’d read this about 6 months ago. I enjoy cooking and was having fun with planning meals and cooking for my new husband and myself. However, a few months into the marriage I was trying to get us to eat healhtier and discovered the big world of real food blogs. I’ve been on a food journey for a few years, but I had never heard of things like fermenting food for health and soaking grains, etc… I read with fascination and started reading these blogs all the time (and I actually discovered your blog through one of them!), but then I got super overwhelmed and cooking became more stressful because I felt like I was constantly failing. I felt like I needed to completely change my husband’s diet and significantly improve mine and every grocery store trip was this huge over-analyzng process. We’ve been trying to conceive and I’ve worried so much if I’m feeing us a fertility-friendly diet. I’m sure all the stress of worrying about food is affecting my fertility more than just eating reasonably well and enjoying life. I wish I could re-live the past 6 months and be less stressed out. I wouldn’t say it negatively affected my first year of marriage too much, but I think it would’ve been a lot more fun if I had worried less about food! So, I want year two to be more about relaxing and enjoying. Yes, I still want to keep improving my cooking skills and make food from scratch, but I work 40 hours a week and sometimes I think take-out pizza is A-OK and I’m going to quit feeling so guilty all the time. Thank you again for this–I feel so much lighter.
Erin, I’ve been there. 🙂 I think we’ve all been there. So, take heart! You’re doing a great job…and it sounds like you’ll continue to do well. Good luck in your ventures to have a baby! 🙂
I love this.
…that is all!
Thank you. That is all. 🙂
Thanks for this post Stacy!!!! I have just started this journey on healthier eating. I had lap-band surgery a couple of years ago and I really have to watch what I eat now. I’m also trying to have my family eat healthier. I LOVE to cook, but since I work full-time I have to find recipes that are healthy and quick. I’m relieved to know that I’m not the only one that struggles and if I have to feed my family fish sticks or hot dogs (GOD FORBID!!) every once in awhile, I’m still a good mom!!! I am subscribed to your blog along with Heavenly Homemakers and Keeper of The Home. I love your blogs and it’s refreshing to actually have someone post that they are not perfect, but they do the best they can!!! So, in other words, thank you for being “normal”!!! 🙂
Thanks, Jackie! I’m not sure I’d call myself “normal.” But I will tell Barry you said that! LOL
Thank you so much. This made me tear up 🙂
Awwwww! 🙂
Wow – thank you so much for this! I think it came at just the right time for me. I struggle with my eating and food choices and tend to jump head first into anything I think will help – including the whole food thing. Usually it’s an all or nothing thing for me – this post really spoke to me. Do I need to make healthier choices? Yes. Do I need to cut my consumption of sugar and pre-packaged foods? Absolutely. Should I keep myself informed and educated? Without a doubt. But it’s ok if I don’t do it “perfectly”. God is in control. I just need to do the best I can. Thank you! I’ve shared this with my friends and printed a copy to pull out on those days when I start to feel overwhelmed.
I have to say that I am very honored that you would refer me to your friends…thank you, Jennifer. 🙂
You hit the nail on the head with this post!
Thanks, Glenda! 🙂 That’s so nice!
Thank you, Thank you for this post! What a refreshing perspective and a great reminder about what is really important. It is so easy to get wrapped up in all of the information out there, and as a result, start to feel like an evil parent when I give my child cheese crackers that I didn’t roll out and bake myself. Or watch as my parents give him a cookie and think “No! That’s killing him!!!” How ridiculous! 🙂 I, too, have felt that so many of those whole food blogs are condescending and judgmental. Especially when some of them have freely admitted to (only a short time ago) eating the same junk they’re judging everyone else for consuming. They become these “food elitists” and it can be very discouraging. I look forward to reading some of the blogs you suggest rather than getting a daily dose of condemnation from my regular ones. We are doing the best we can do on a stay-at-home-mom and a policeman’s salary and organic is just not in the cards all the time. And that’s okay because God is in control! Thanks for your encouragement. You now have a new reader 🙂
Our God is in control! 🙂 Thanks Jessica!
Just wanted to say THANK YOU so much for your post!! This is exactly how I feel and I have been troubled lately by how people are being treated for their food choices. I do think it’s good to make healthy food choices as much as possible and I am someone who’s baby-stepping her way along that path. Whether a friend serves me a cake-mix cake or a from-scratch cake I will appreciate it just as much and happily eat a slice! I think the blessing is in the hospitality, not the ingredients.
IS it the hospitality and not the ingredients! You’ve hit the nail on the head. 🙂
Wow, my daughter could have written the exact same blog. We had a discussion this week of how crazy she is going trying to feed her family “correctly” and feeling so guilty when she can’t afford to or when she can’t get to specific types of products. She, like you makes the best choices she can with what she has available and tries harder than most. I will surely point her here so she knows she is not alone! You are a wonderful inspiration to get our hearts and minds back where they should be and on the right source, the Savior! THANKS!!!
I would welcome her with open arms! 🙂 Thank you Linda!
I agree, and yet what I feel is the real answer is to let God guide us. For me, food is something I think about a lot, since I do believe food has impacted my children’s mental health and abilities. Ultimately, God is in charge of my kids’ futures but I feel led to think about their disabilities sort of like you’d consider cancer. If you had it, would it be your moral imperative to fight it? Only God can answer that for you. Personally, the further I go down this road, the more support and encouragement I feel, and the more I feel I’m spreading hope to others. I put aside the negativity and despair, forgive myself for diet infractions and setbacks, and accept where my kids are… And if they never progress, God still has their back, and I’ve done my spirit-led best. This is the beauty of Christ and if I can share that with my kids, I’ve done my job.
Yes you have, mama…a great job. 🙂
Amen sister!!!!!!!! 😀 very well put!
Thanks, Jenny! 🙂
My daughter posted this on my facebook wall, and told me this sounded like something I would write! LOL she was right! I appreciate your thought through, balanced way of thinking and sharing this!! GREAT JOB!!
Tell your daughter that I am VERY honored that she would pass along my article. 🙂 Thanks, Gina!
I personally believe the Lord should dictate how we eat and live. If we are a person whose main food group is junk (cookies, cake, ice cream, fast food, chips, pop, and so on) then there is something not right. We should go to the Lord and ask him if that is what he really want of us (for our diet). We need to take care of the body that the Lord has given us, not treat it like trash. While it may be good to eat organic, its not the be all and end all. Our # 1 should always be the Lord, and not anything else!
He does give pretty clear instructions in His manual. 🙂 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and soul, and mind, and strength.” Amen! 🙂
Thank you so much for this post! I’d been thinking many of the same things about the “real food” world…but I hadn’t quite organized all my thoughts about it. I think this might be a reason I rarely blog about food at all. I just didn’t want to get mixed up in crazy food debates, and I felt like anything I had to say about real food couldn’t possible stack up against the “food savior” types–because food just isn’t the center of my life. But I’m thinking now that that was a silly way to look at it. 😀 Maybe I’ll get some “real food” posts up soon.
Be brave! I’m sure your readers would love it! 🙂 I know mine really love when I post recipes. Thanks Andrea!
Well, that was freeing! Sometimes the info and choices are downright paralyzing. Thank you, what great insight!
Thank you Mindy! 🙂
I am an atheist. A christian friend of mine on facebook posted this blog and I had to read it. Thank you for being refreshing and honest. I loved what you wrote about the crack addict who carries a baby to term and the aging old man who drank a Coke a day. ( I think I heard an “amen” somewhere in the back of my mind when I read this!) I firmly believe we only live once, and I personally enjoy a steak and a piece of cheesecake once in awhile…it’s the little things in life that give such pleasure! When it’s our time, that’s it…let’s have a blast while were here! Great article!
Elizabeth, wow! I am very honored that you would read my post from a friends recommendation. 🙂 Thank you for your kind words. I don’t like cheesecake though, so I think I’ll stick with brownie a la mode. 🙂
Thanks for this post. I am a single mom with a very limited budget, and although I’m getting back to healthier habits (after some very stressful years and getting into too much processed food as a result), there’s no way I can afford to buy all organic, or raw dairy… Plus, ‘enjoying the food God gives us’, does seem to be a missing element way too often! 🙂
It sounds to me as though you’re being very responsible. 🙂 Good job, mama!
Stacy thanks so much for this post!!!!!!
Thanks so much for the comment, Katy!
I’ve never read your blog before, but a friend posted a link to your article on Facebook, so I came over to check it out. Thank you for writing this. I had a miscarriage and lost our first baby, and had a friend send me a card in which she offered to teach me about what to eat and not to eat to keep it from happening again. I’m sure she meant well, but her words really did hurt. We try to make healthy eating choices, but like many on here, our budget rules out eating organic all the time. Your blog looks like something I can read without feeling guilty and pressured to make choices I can’t afford.
Oh, and we now have 2 healthy, beautiful children although I never took my friend up on her offer to help me with my eating habits. 🙂
Krysten, I am so sorry. 🙁 I’m sure she meant well…but even before there were convenience foods and preservatives, women had miscarriages. 🙁 I’m glad to know you have two healthy children! And thank you for the lovely comment!
So sorry about your miscarriage! I had one a a year ago next week. I started blaming myself at first wondering if this or that caused it, but my husband reminded me that I wasn’t doing any of the big preggo no nos that everyone agrees on (like drinking alcohol or doing drugs). Plus I could wonder forever why it happened, but no matter what I wonder, I’ll never know, so I figure it’s not worth worrying about.
Go girl! I agree so much that food or any other thing on this earth should not become our God. I feel too many Christians are going overboard on the food thing. They are living in fear and the Bible clearly tells us that we are not to live in fear. Thanks for expressing so well what I also feel.
Thank you, Barb! I appreciate the support!!
I am commenting and will try to keep it short…I want to say “thank you” first for being so real…I have been traveling the healthy eating road for years…it is very frustrating…and some things that are supposedly good for you seem to change as well…I have an awesome Mom who up until recently worked in a health store…and would crack up at some of the “supposed” healthy crap they sell in their as well…she reads endlessly and even she gets fed up at times…she has tried just about every “healthy” fad out their. She raised 10 kids as best and healthy as she could with what money she had and what knowledge she was given. Most of my fondest memories of my childhood involve making and eating things together as a family…homeade chocolate chip cookies, homeade cinnamon rolls, even homeade hard candy. I have many theories about food…but I also know that enjoying life is just as important. One could eat the healthiest food on the planet, but if they didn’t enjoy it, they are not any better off. Emotions are just as important as food. I say bake some homeade cookies with your kids with good ingredients like real butter and real sugar and laugh and eat them all and most of all enjoy the life you are given. God put all of these things including sugar on this planet to feed us…in moderation. Even the best food isn’t good for you to overdue it on. Sorry, I ranted…lol
It sounds like your mom raised you well. 🙂 And you are SO right! Enjoying life is important – no matter what you put in your mouth. 🙂
Another thing. People who are obsessive- compulsive about eating organic (to the point of condeming others who do not) should realize that this lifestyle is often significantly more expensive then eating non organic. A lot of people can’t afford to eat organic/ purely organic, such as myself. For example, I’ve seen apples for as low as .99 cents a lb for regular apples, but I’ve never seen organic apples (that I can recall) for less then $1.79. That is almost double the cost of non organic. That means that for people on a budget, it limits how much they can buy. Friends of mine came from a family of 9 children, where their mother did not really work (other then doing lunch duty at school). To buy organic at all would have probably sacrificing how much food the family could buy, in a not so good way.
Being the budget minded person that I am, I totally see your point. Doesn’t it make more sense to buy apples to feed my entire family….apples that I can afford without giving up something else essential that we need? Yes, I think so. 🙂 Excellent point!
And sometimes people go organic for the wrong reason (mainly a produce thing) because they think (nutrient wise) that it is better for them. As far as I know, organic and non organic produce have the exact same nutrients in them, so buying organic based on that premise alone is a waste of one’s money.
I hadn’t ever thought of it that way – in fact, I never knew people did that! 🙂
Yeah. I think somehow people get the mistaken idea that just because something is organic (like I said before, produce wise) that it somehow must be better for them, which isn’t true. And condeming someone (which no one here is remotely doing) for not eating all organic because they can’t afford to, doesn’t change that fact and can only hurt someone and a relationship in the process
Relationships are SO important and SO fragile….we have to handle them with care. Great comment. 🙂
I totally agree with you here. Food should NOT be our God. Although I could eat better, I could eat way worse. I love a lot of healthy fruits and veggies and lean meats. I do like carbs but eat less of them then I used to. And yes it was VERY unkind for people to tell a greaving woman that it was the food choices she made the caused her misscarriage. That was just not right.
I love fruits and veggies! I just finished off a bowl of strawberries! 🙂 Thanks Jessica!
I finished a container of straberries (the smaller size) in 2 days. I want more, lol. I am going to be buying some blueberries soon I think because I believe they are on sale at the grocery store.
I can take you in a strawberry eating contest any day! Bring it! 🙂
1) It only took me that long because I didn’t want to eat them up so fast. 2) If you are buying…..lol
I’m a bit of a hog when it comes to strawberries. I don’t share. LOL
LOVE this post! I feel the very same. We eat “whole foods,” yet even within our own extended family there is discord over vegan lifestyles, opinions on meat, etc. Its entirely exhausting. Every family must decide what is best for them. Thanks so much for sharing.
LOL I know your exhausted feeling. 🙂 Thanks Kelly!
I stumbled across this post on fb. I have never read your blog before but, this post was terrific. I appreciate your honesty and your desire to feed your family healthfully but, not go overboard. I can very much relate to what you are saying. I have worked in Natural Health before and I’ve heard and read just about everything and it all comes down to doing what is best for your family and as you said, not making food your god. We’ve taken a Whole Foods approach to eating for the last several years but, in no way are we eating all organic, raw dairy, etc, etc, we do what we can with what we have and our family is thriving. Thank you SO much for highlighting the most important thing, that God be the center and that he does indeed honor our resolve to feed our families well…even if we do eat peanut m&m’s every once in a while. 🙂 I am now subscribing to your blog! 🙂
Gina, welcome! 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment…I hope you enjoy it here!
Yay, yay, YAY!! Good for YOU and for the reading a post (finally) about reality. I also happened to see this post this morning which another friend posted. I agree with your food philosophy 1,000 percent. In this craze lately of ONLY buying organic/local bought/whole grain/etc. it’s so refreshing to read a post that is balanced. I grew up with the blessing of a mother who made 99% of our meals from scratch. Soda was (thankfully) a luxury. I’ve carried that on into my own family, and I am of the same mind when it comes to where and what kind of food we purchase. Very little processed food, organic when it is within the budget, and limiting processed sugar. You hit the nail on the head; God does indeed know our days and while we are responsible to be good stewards of our bodies, no amount of controlling what we intake will allow us to live longer than the days we have been given. Thank you for writing this post!
Thank YOU, Laura! I appreciate the support more than you can know!
As someone who’s just trying to get the hang of cooking, I’ve been scared to delve into the organic/whole foods debate. It is overwhelming! Thank you for reminding us that food is a very personal choice when it comes to fueling your body and mind. I believe food can fuel the soul too – and that is different for everyone!
Trish, we all start somewhere! 🙂 The first biscuits I made for my husband looked and felt like hockey pucks. LOL
So true Stacy, women have been having miscarrages and people have been getting sick since the beginning of time. God bless you for standing up for our God and being so honest in your blog. I am brand new at all the natural food and cleaning products. It is exciting though and how lucky for me that you are the first blog I came across to teach me the ins and outs.
In the scheme of things, I think we’re all “just starting out.” There is so much to learn! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, Jess!
I totally agree with you… but I think it’s a little different for me. Since my husband and most of his family suffer from food allergies, I know that it’s very likely that my little one will develop them.
You’re right, many of the traditional food blogs can be discouraging, but I feel duty bound to try things like soaking and sprouting grains in the hope that I can keep LO’s gut healthy.
Those of you who don’t have food allergies to deal with have no idea how lucky you are!
Elise, your situation is different…but the way you approach it isn’t! 🙂 Taking care of your family is a God given mandate – so you do what you have to do. The thing we all have to remember is, while doing that thing we’re supposed to do, don’t let it take God’s place. From reading your comment, I can tell that you won’t struggle with that at all. 🙂
Most of us spend our lives trying to be in control. We are simply unaware that we are not in control and we ARE going to die. When you really understand it, you are free. Getting to that point is very, very hard, though, because the world is just so distracting. For me, it took near death and a terminal diagnosis to get it. I still struggle to “get it” on the days I feel healthy and good.
Being in control is something I have always struggled with…but I didn’t realize it until my mentor brought it to light – and you’re right…once you realize that, you’re free to let God be in control. I still struggle sometimes…but then I just get her to kick me back in line! 🙂 Thank you Jane! Lovely comment.
I stumbled upon your blog a month or so ago, and signed up for your emails, but I hadn’t ever actually read any. But when I saw this blog title in my inbox, I had to read it! I have struggled with weight and food after having babies, and just recently decided to eat clean. But I knew it wasn’t something that was going to be possible all of the time for our family. But I felt “pressure” that it needed to be all the time. This post came at just the right time to confirm that I can just do what works for my family. Plus, I am not sure if I knew you are a Christian! 🙂 I am definitely going to be reading your blog more often!
🙂 Yes, I am a Christian….my faith usually comes out in my writing – since it’s who I am, it would be hard to smother it. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it! Tell your pressure to take a hike! 🙂
WOW, this is a great post!! Blessings to you and your family and for speaking truth. Food is not our idol and even though I write a food blog it is a mixture of things now. Life, family, love, God, health and more. It is not the focus. Thank you for being transparent. We should not be obsessing or meeting some crazy standard.
You’re right…it IS a crazy standard. 🙂 Thanks Noelle!
Thank you so much for this. I feel exactly the same way! So well put.
Thank you! PS – Your name ROCKS! 🙂
After I found out I had cancer I found your blog. I find you to be so refreshing, real and encouraging. I have made so many changes in my life over the past 6 month. Eating as natural with as many whole organic foods as I can on top of Eliminating all toxic cleaners and chemicals in my house. Making my own lie body soap and so on. Hold your head up high. You are making a difference in more lives than you know. People should not judge others. That is for the Good Lord above to do.
Annie, it sounds like you’re making great strides! 🙂 Thanks so much for your encouragement. You let me know if you ever need anything!!!
Hi Stacy! Wow! That’s a lot of comments! Maybe I’ll get back and read more of them when my eyes are open! I love what you stand for! I am so thankful that you are so bold! You are paving the way for a new generation of real food people who put their trust in God to sustain them. Not the food they eat! Blessings from Bama!
Up past your bedtime, huh? 🙂 I do that too. Thanks, Bama! I appreciate your very kind words.
I feel I have to speak up; believing in Jesus never prevented a miscarriage anymore than eating organic. Bad things happen to good people all the time, including deeply religious people.
Obsessing over anything can be detrimental, because it takes away from other important pursuits. And I agree with you that we have very little control in this chaotic universe, and it is more important to eat than to eat well.
But, as far as I can tell, thinking about food quality, just like thinking about other practical things (how to behave towards my family and friends, how to earn money, how to raise my children)… thinking about these things, sometimes to the point of obsession, has improved my life immeasurably.
I have noticed that sometimes people stop thinking entirely, because they figure god’s in charge anyhow so they’d better let go of the wheel. I can think of several people not getting vaccinations because god would keep their kids safe, or people not getting a complete education because everything they need to know is in the bible (or other relevant holy book).
When we give up on perfection (“I can’t always buy organic apples!!”), we admit our mortality and humanity. That is our excuse: we are imperfect creations. It’s a good excuse, because it is true! But “I don’t have to be perfect because god will protect me” is one giant crap of an excuse. We have all seen repeatedly that, even if there is a god, death and misfortune and disease do NOT discriminate between the good, the faithful, and the “sinful”.
You are very right – no one is immune from bad things….no one. That’s the result of living in a fallen world. God DOES expect us to take care of our humanly bodies – but He also says it’s not something we should worry about: “”Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink.” Matthew 6:25
Our family feels good when we eat well…but we don’t think that just because we eat well that we’re immune from sickness and disease.
You’re also right that we can’t be perfect – not a chance. But some food blogs make it seem as though there IS a perfect standard that we should all be trying to achieve. That will never happen. As humans, we don’t have the ability to be perfect.
You mentioned that “Even if there is a God…” But we KNOW there is a God, and that’s exactly why we’ve taken this stance. 🙂
Amen, and thank you for writing this. Similar thoughts have been running through my mind lately, and God has often brought to mind the passages in Matthew 6 and Luke 12 where Jesus assures them of His care for them and then asks “And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?”
And in fact, I think it might be the exact opposite…by worrying we TAKE hours away…not literal hours, but how much of our life passes by because we’re worrying about something? Hours that could be spent enjoying our family. 🙂 Thanks Sarah!!!
Stacy, God is using you to remind us all that He is who we should be spending all of our free time with, not thinking about how & what we are going to prepare for our next meal. Thank you for your obedience and God Bless You!!
Thank you Kim. 🙂
Yes!
Food is to fuel our bodies not make us crazy!
Well, I am crazy…but I’m not sure that food is the reason. lol
Great post! No kidding, I was sitting at a stop light today thinking about this very thing. We are getting ready to start feeding our baby, and I want to do what is best for all of us, but at what point do I have to trust in the sovereignty of God to protect him, rather than my choices? I think we have to use the minds He gave us, but bottom line is that He is in control. It is a hard thing to give up what (imagined) control we have. Keep up the good work, you have been such a blessing to me.
I am 100% guilty of trying to maintain that “control.” It’s silly how much time I spend going after it when I could be doing so many more productive things with my time. 🙂 Thank you, Emily!
😀
🙂 Back at ya!
Amen! Thank you Stacy for your honesty and transparency! I admire you for this =) you go girl! Keep up the good work…
Thank you Angie. 🙂 I greatly appreciate your support!
Oh my Stacy, I so needed to hear this. Thank you so much! My oldest is playing baseball for the first time and we have two games each week. It has been so hard to get supper on the table before the 6:00 games. Last night we packed up homemade deli sandwiches and chips (horror, I know) and fruit and headed to the game. Was it the best meal ever? No. (Unless you ask my picky 6 year old! He said it was the best meal ever!) But I felt it was much better than the drive-thru of some fast food joint. However,I was feeling guilty this morning. Please keep up the great work! You are most definitely an inspiration and a wonderful source of encouragement to me! Thank you.
Julia, that’s a rough schedule! It sounds like you’re doing a fabulous job to me. 🙂 Being a mama-on-the-go is hard work. Keep your chin up! 🙂
Stacy, this is encouraging. You are a good writer. I still like to look at blogs, etc. for the recipes – I love trying new stuff!
I’m a recipe fanatic too! 🙂 Thank you, Melissa!
Wow, Stacy you did it again. You blew me away with your honesty and integrity. For awhile I have been pulling away from the whole food world, b/c it didn’t feel like a friendly place to be anymore. I know it sounds nuts and prob makes me sound lonely, but I feel like you are my friend. One day we should have coffee together. Not just any coffee, mind you, but unfair trade, non-organic coffee loaded with partially hydrogenated creamer and white sugar in a styrofoam cup. 🙂
I do believe that whole foods are best, but not to the point that I put others down b/c of their food choices. Thanks for recommending other bloggers who feel that way too. I was beginning to think you were the only one.
Keep on keepin’ it real!
We’re not alone! 🙂 We’re standing together…and I’m tickled you’re standing with us. I’d have coffee with you anytime, but I like mine BLACK. 🙂
PS – We are friends. I consider all of you guys my friend. 🙂
Im sorry this road has been such a discouraging one. I feel like I definitley went through a phase like this in my health/food journey. With some recent changes I’m actually feeling a lot better though, so I’m not going back to what I used to eat. I dont necessarily read all the blog posts anymore, but I still use all of the blogs (even discouraging ones) for recipes. Saves me time 🙂
I hope this new perspective helps you to find balance and to honor God with your family’s eating. We actually have a lot of people in our church small group with special dietary needs so it’s helpful that other people I fellowship with are also on this journey and makes snacks at small group not as stressful of a scene. No one minds if you ask – what’s in this, again? It helps when there is grace like that.
Ah yes, we have found a wonderful balance…that’s why I’m finally able to post about it. 🙂
Hi Stacy,
I’m agnostic, and a foodie, and I think you’re spot on.
Cheers!
Well, thank you Sarah. 🙂 I’m honored.
Thank you for this post~you confirmed what I have been feeling too. We’ve been on a whole food journey for about 3 years. We grow our own food, buy what we can’t grow, and try to support our local farms as much as possible. But…my favorite “uncles” are Ben & Jerry, and I’m madly in love with Mr. Reese’s…and I’m pretty okay with that. 🙂
If you were really related to Ben and Jerry, we would HAVE to be neighbors…I’m just sayin’. 🙂
thank you. I am so relieved.
You are most welcome. 🙂
This post was wonderful and moving! I actually started to remove a lot of blogs from my facebook recently. I was bogged down with articles and just felt horrible because I didn’t feel like I was doing all I could. It was just so overwhelming, not to mention taking time from my family! I had to learn that I can’t afford to eat as healthy as people were saying and I just don’t have the time or ability right now to cook everything from scratch. I love that you ladies are standing together on this! 🙂
It’s nice for all of us to pull together like this…..we can only do what we can. That’s all. And I don’t think we should expect more than that from ourselves.
Best post ever.
One of my favorite real food advocates says, “Do your best, don’t worry about the rest.” Honestly, as a single mother of 8, most days I just feel blessed that my kids went to bed with full tummies that night. What good is free range meat if buying it blows my entire months grocery budget and we end up having to eat ramen for the rest of the month.
I ended up leaving all of the paleo forums and groups and unsubbing from the blogs because I got tired of folks acting like I was the devil if I gave my kids PB&J for lunch. Shesh.
A single mother of 8? You get the Mother of the Year award! Go right ahead and serve those pb&js! And just between you and me…I have a feeling that all these foodies probably don’t use a budget. LOL 😉
Stacy,
loved your blog so much ! you voiced what is my heart concerning Whole foods
after struggling much in the same area thank you !
Thank you Vivian! I am honored that you would say that. 🙂
Dear Stacy,
I love you. 🙂 I could not have said it better- thank you, thank you for being real! When I first started the whole foods/WAPF/organic thing, I swung waaaay over into the “I have to eat perfectly” extreme. But, that got old fast, and I’m back to the middle. We avoid processed food when we can, but if they happen to give my daughter a graham cracker at church? Who cares?! 🙂
I was thinking the other day– if we were to follow all of the the “advice” of all the diet gurus, there would be literally NOTHING we could consume except water (filtered water, that is…) It’s rather hilarious if you think about it. Vegans say no to meat/eggs/dairy, USDA says no fat, raw enthusiasts say only raw veggies, but WAPF says some raw veggies are bad, and don’t eat unsoaked nuts or grains. Others say no grains or dairy, period. Seriously, what’s left to eat?! Lol!
And thanks for the link, too. 🙂
Yeah, we’d all starve. You make an excellent point. 🙂 And you’re welcome for the link – it’s well deserved.
PS – I love you too!
Thank you thank you thank you!!! I too have been feeling the same way and it is nice to hear it from someone else! You’re awesome, don’t forget it!!!
🙂 Thanks Amanda!
I love your new voice, although I’ve only been following for a few months. :0) I really love this post…it was exactly what I needed to hear, as I’ve only been on a food-change quest for a few months and have definately been overwhelmed by all the “you should…” advice…much of it contradicting each other. Thanks for being real, being wise, and being His. :0)
If I can’t be real, then I’m not much use. 🙂 Thanks Heather! I’m glad to have you here!
Stacy, I love this post. I’m a food blogger and personal chef…and I can tell you I’ve been having the same thoughts. My goal is to make the best of the days God has given me by eating well, enjoying my food and making the best choices I can for me and my family. I HATE the “rules” and condemnation that has entered the food scene….it intimidates and terrifies people… and makes them feel like they can never live up…no amount of following “the rules” is going to save us. Gee. That sounds familiar! lol Anyway, you took the words right out of my mouth. I do believe God wants us to live fully and as healthfully as we can in our time here and to share the gloriousness of the nourishment he provides. Being thankful for his provision and sharing it with others should be more of a priority! Thank you!
You are a personal chef? I think we should be neighbors….because I do have a baby coming in September…and I’m sure I could use your services. LOL
Thanks for the wonderful comment! I love finding like-minded fellow bloggers.
Thank you, thank you! And, also, fitness is not our God either!!
We should make a list. LOL 🙂
Stacy, I saw your post from a friend’s link on Facebook. I’m a dietitian with a Master’s in Nutritional Science. I stood up and applauded you after I read this. Thank you. Right on.
I hope you were alone….otherwise, people are really going to start to worry about you and I. 😉 LOL
I love this, Stacy! Thanks for being bold!
And thanks for standing with me!
thank you for saying everything I have wanted to say!! AMEN AMEN AND AMEN!
🙂 Thanks Penny.
Stacy, I could not agree with you more. Amen!
Thank you Rachel. 🙂 It’s nice to have company!
WOW. This is the best thing I’ve read of yours. Actually, it’s probably only the second thing I’ve read – but it is WONDERFUL! Thank you, thank you, for saying that!
I’m going to be 56 years old and have certain been through ‘the times’ of food ‘history’ – from family meals made from scratch; to the TV dinner/Kool-Aid era; through Hippie-Dom (I’m from CA); and all the back to the earth Vegan organic and even Hollywood Plastic bodies days. I’ve seen things go full circle a FEW times – ha ha!
I left my beautiful beach home six years ago and moved across country to the South – in a state known for the worst health; most infant deaths; most prescriptions; greatest obesity. Six years ago, people I worked with literally thought ‘health’ food was a DIET coke instead of regular.
And now, for many reasons, things are working full circle once again – except it’s in helping the lives of others do some learning!
But as people are learning, I’m seeing folks with so many questions and comparisons, and stress, and judgement, and PANIC and being overwhelmed. I have a number of people asking if I will teach a class; have a discussion group..
Last night I was with one couple who invited me over to pick veggies from their garden. While we picked, they picked my brain, and I could sense their panic..the questions! The FEAR!
And I made a decision then and there, that when we get together to have this discussion group, that I would tell them to calm down, take a deep breath, we’re going to ENJOY the journey, and be BLESSED!
Then I see your blog tonight and it is EXACTLY – EXACTLY what I am wanting to say – but you said it better than I ever could! Good for you!
So, I’m ‘printing’ and I will be sharing it!
Thanks, Stacy!
Thanks for sharing! I am VERY honored that you would do so!
If we just sit around and really think about things, we’ll see how entirely silly it is. It’s almost on a daily basis that “experts” say “Hey wait! We were wrong! That’s NOT good for you…it’s TERRIBLE for you!” Let’s just eat what’s been around for a while, enjoy it, and be happy….and pop an M&M when we need to. 🙂
Wow I disagree! I feel your missing a lot to your piece. I very much believe in God and have god in my life but do not separate God between myself. I believe that if you are treating your body well to whatever your truth is then you are doing exactly what God would want of you. What you believe will happen to yourself is what it will be. Food is only a portion of feeling amazing. There are so many aspects involved and god is all of those including food. He is everything pure and alive. He is infinite life and if you eat foods made by god however you choose to eat it you are again part of him and his creations. I do not consider foods processed and made in a lab to be pure and can make you feel worse while enjoying this journey of life. However that is my perception and everyone’s will be different there is no right or wrong. However I an occasional mm eater choose to not judge when people eat processed stuff and choose to see it as “pick your poison” having mean thoughts about someone is just as damaging. To me what’s important is to always do my best, and let go of judgement and just be happy. You eat crap you feel like crap you think crap you feel like crap and vise versa. It’s all about the journey not the end, so enjoy it however that may be for each person.
So I read that article that you linked to on facebook on whole foods, and I’m so incredibly glad that you did. Honestly, one of the reasons that I don’t pursue more of the whole foods movement is because I’m tired of the battle cries that this will resolve all my problems and cure all diseases and make my children smarter and all that other junk. It just makes me angry. I have also unsubscribed to so many “Christian health food” blogs because it just wore on me when I was constantly being met with what oil would keep us safe and what foods would kill us. Food has become the Savior. But in a lot of ways it’s not the food – it’s our control over the food. We believe that be controlling what we allow in our bodies we are controlling our lives and destinies. Our lives are in God’s hands no matter if we eat at McDonald’s every day or eat a raw foods diet. And I’m so glad that some Christian food bloggers are making a stand about it. As with every other part of life, it must come from faith.
It IS about control…isn’t it? We humans are so silly. We try to do it all ourselves, when life would be SO much easier if we all just let God be in control. Very well said, Becky!
Very energizing to read, Stacy. I’m glad to hear you say this. I know a woman in church who has gone totally off the edge with organic, unpasturized, etc. She has become really paranoid and has moved from trying to feed her family helthful foods to a fanatic who is convinced the government is out to kill us all. Yes, we should eat a healthful diet, and no, a few pieces of candy now and again won’t hurt us. God expects us to take care of our bodies–they are His temple after all–but I don’t think He apppreciates fanaticism in an aspect of our lives. Reading this was a breath of fresh air–thanks.
Rita, I feel bad for your friend. I imagine her life is full of worry…I’ll pray for her right now. Thanks for the comment!
thanks stacy..i love reading your common sense blog…God Bless
Thank you Mildred! I enjoy writing!
We need to stop moralizing food as good or bad. All foods are fine in moderation. The judgment people give towards others regarding how they eat is so demoralizing. Of course, that in itself is a judgment.
I’ve learned to find freedom from my disordered eating thoughts through a journey called Mindful and Intuitive Eating.
We don’t need diets. God gave us signals in our body that tell us when we are hungry and when we are satisfied.
I like to think of it this way….the first three letter of diet are D-I-E. Enough said. lol
“-I will buy organic foods when I feel like it and when my budget allows. I will not get down in the floor and foam at the mouth if I have to buy a bag of non-organic apples. They’re apples…and raw apples are better than colored, sweetened, and flavored applesauce in Aisle 6. Amen”. lol well said.
Less is more if we just do it one day at a time we have a greater chance of achieving our goals. Thanks for the post, this part was so funny 🙂
🙂 I find that humor usually makes things slide down a bit easier.
-I will buy organic foods when I feel like it and when my budget allows. I will not get down in the floor and foam at the mouth if I have to buy a bag of non-organic apples. They’re apples…and raw apples are better than colored, sweetened, and flavored applesauce in Aisle 6. Amen. LOL! well said, thanks for the post.
Taking it one day at a time, less is more I think we have a greater chance of achieving our goals.
One day at a time…more than that and we’ll quickly get overwhelmed!
Stacy- what a great post. This reminded me of the chapter in I Timothy I just read last week. Chapter 4, verse 3 (talking about the end times) ….. and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. V 4. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.
Wow, that’s awesome! What a great verse that I needed to be reminded of! Thank you, Kelly! 🙂
Very well put. Thank you for the eye opener.
Thanks for reading it! 🙂
THANK YOU for posting this, I feel the exact same way!!!!
🙂 Welcome to the club!
Amen! That is just how I feel. I always tell other women who are converting from SAD to take baby steps and make better choices as they are able. Don’t make healthy eating a religion. I love your post!
Thank you Christy! 🙂 I appreciate that wonderful comment!
Well said! Thanks for the encouraging, truthful post. Firt time visiting your blog and happy that I did so.
Welcome, Kim! I hope you’ll stop back by again. 🙂
Yes! Jesus saves us. He’s the One we have to depend on for every part of our lives. 🙂
Amen!
Thank you Stacy! We feel better when we eat better and I would love to be ‘healed’ or ‘saved’ from terrible diseases just because I ate (or didn’t eat) certain foods, but it just ain’t so! Do your best and let the Lord do the rest. Love your thoughts on this one!
Beccy
We feel better too! It’s wonderful…but it won’t keep us from tragedy.
THANK YOU STACY!!! I love love love love your blog and the more I read the more I discover that you and I are really a lot alike 🙂 You are an encouragement to me and I appreciate your blog and recipes and straight talk!
<3
~me
Does that mean you’re weird too? 🙂
YES! I am weird, too!! 😀
I think my favorite part of this post was “I will still use canned tomatoes, even though the world assures me that I will die an early death because of BPA” – because I totally do the same thing!
Second fav was the non-organic apples vs. the colored applesauce on Aisle 6. Love it.
We eat a ton more whole/organic/local food than I would’ve thought possible on our budet, and I think it helps that we don’t freak out about it. I love talking about food and health and healthy fats and all that (and you’re right – someeone is always willing to tell you what you eat is bad for you), but if we hav $11 to spend for the rest of the month, I’m going to Aldi and buying PASTEURIZED whole milk, UNPASTURED eggs, and NON-ORGANIC produce. It’d be one thing if we had allergies or health problems, but right now we don’t.
I love my family, I love God, and I love them all more than food. There’s only so much time and money to focus on one small area of our lives.
Thanks for post, Stacy!
Aw man! You have an Aldis?! I am totally jealous of that. 🙂 And you mentioned $11 for the rest of the month…which means you have a budget…which also means we have to be best friends now. Amen.
I’ve got another spin on this that’s been rattling around in my head now for quite some time. This post just spurred me on to get those thoughts down on “paper”.
Love it. 🙂
Good! 🙂 I like motivating people!
Thank you for the awesome post – perfect timing for me- and a hearty Amen to the comments, especially Nicole, Rachel, and Missable!
Yes, aren’t they awesome!? 🙂
I don’t think I could’ve put it more perfectly myself. I’ve been dabbling in “real food” for a couple years now. At first, I may have bordered a bit on obsessive, but then two babies in less than two years, three moves, two hospital stays, a surgery and my mom’s death happened and I just couldn’t keep up with everything. Some things had to fall by the wayside and most weeks that was fermented foods, soaked homemade bread, etc. If I’ve learned anything through all this, it’s that God is incredibly gracious.
Emily, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. 🙁 But I am thankful that our God is gracious, just like you said!
Thank you so much for writing this! You are right on. Food is not our Savior, only Jesus saves. We will never reach perfection no matter how hard we try and trying to eat the “perfect” diet will only drives us further away from Jesus.
I do have to say though, I greatly appreciate all the info that is available on food and health as it has helped me tremendously. I think the problem comes when we start comparing ourselves to others and trying to live up to what someone else does.
Like someone commented above, I am thankful for this as a reminder to be careful in how I present things when speaking to people or writing on my blog. I never want to lead others to believe that food choices are up on a pedestal as guaranteed protection against illness. Because no matter what we do God is in control, not us.
It is NO fun to get into the comparing game…and for some reason, we women are really bad at that – I know I am! Thanks for the great comment, Carmen! I am sure your readers know your heart. 🙂
Stacy I love that you wrote this! I so agree, people make real food out to be their idol. They worship real food and act like it will save them or prevent an early death. NEWS FLASH: God has pre-written all the days of your life. Real Foods will not change God’s plan.
Excellent post Stacy, thank you! This needs to be said more!! 🙂
Thanks for the support, Jami!!
Wow! This post is so wonderful! Our family is just starting our “journey” into eating whole foods. A lot of days I feel overwhelmed by it all, so thank you for your post…it was very encouraging!
I’m so glad, Lorissa! 🙂 Let me know if you ever need more encouragement!
Amen!!! Well said totally agree with you. If you stress over the food you eat all the time the stress will kill you first!! Thank the Lord for our food and eat the best you can!!! Loved the post!
Stress, it’s a killer. 🙂
My post didn’t show-up. I hope there was nothing in it to upset you.
Denise
Denise, no worries! 🙂 I moderate all comments, so I likely just haven’t seen it yet…as long as you didn’t say “This is stupid and everyone of you guys are dumb,” then you’re okay. LOL
First you admit you don’t soak grains and now this. What is next? Are you going to tell me that my son will be able to read even though we gave him a vaccination? (Wink Wink!)
I am not sure what I enjoyed more, the blog post or the comments! This was great. There are bloggers out there who seem to be trying to get back to the Garden of Eden without Christ! “Our hope is in the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Thanks for this post!
Tara
Oh Tara, you silly girl….didn’t you know that MY BABY CAN READ? I mean really…I saw it on television and everything. LOL
And I have no idea what is next…but after 2 years, I think I have finally found my voice. 🙂
A dear friend of mine sums this up with the quip: “Move over Jesus, we’ve gone organic!”
LOL Oh my gosh! I literally laughed out loud!!! Thanks for sharing that! 🙂 🙂
I love this post, I’m pretty sure it’s the first of yours I’ve read. This topic had been on my mind a lot lately as the subject of hypocracy has come up among many of my environmentally minded friends. I so totally agree that we can’t insulate ourselves against all disease or tragedy, but we can take precautions to minimize our risks. Just like wearing a seatbelt when we ge into a car, it can’t prevent an accident, but it can increase our chances of survival. I believe we have to find balance, if you are so stressed out about trying to find the “perfect” foods to feed your body, the stress it’s self may be doing damage. Each of us can only do what we feel is right for ourselves and our families. My personal philosophy is make good choices as often as possible and keep moving in a healthy direction. Even if I didn’t make another change to our lifestyle, we are eating so much better than we were a few years ago. There is so much conflicting information, I believe each of us is different and we have to find what works for us.
You’re totally right – it’s a very delicate balance. I was very upset to see that a lot of food bloggers are haven’t a hard time maintaining that balance. You DO have to take care of yourself…and that’s why I still try to feed my family a whole foods diet. 🙂
This is exactly what my husband has been saying for years. You put this so well. I still feel discouraged sometimes thinking that I should be doing better, but if I’m doing what I can to feel my family in a healthy way – that’s all God requires. This post has been a real encouragement to me. So many times you read blogs about eating and being healthy and think you’ll never make it. Thank you for keeping it real.
Honey, I’ve dealt with the discouragement too…and then I decided that it had to GO. Let’s keep it real together.
I read this through a friend’s link on Facebook. Thanks for the reminder, such good stuff. I really have practically “fallen on the floor and foamed at the mouth” over some ridiculous things like non-organic apples. Sometimes I think Jesus’ words about “Do not worry about what you eat” might have a few meanings we’ve never considered…
I think you might be right, Kirstie…we just try to control entirely too much when God really just wants us to give our all to him – not to our dinner plate.
Hi Stacy,
THANK YOU for writing this blog! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt guilty about what we eat or don’t eat. You are exactly right: Our lives are in God’s very capable, very loving hands. Eating healthy and living healthy is a good thing to do. . .but it’s not a guarantee that we will never suffer ill health at times in our lives. I love your blog. Keep up the interesting and thought-provoking writing!
No, it’s not a guarantee at all…or else Jesus would never have said “In this world you will have trouble…” John 16:33 🙂 Thanks Brandi!!
never quite thought of it that way because it always occurred to me that God is ultimately in charge/control of EVERYTHING, but could see how people would totally be depending on food alone, which would in my opinion make them very alone!, but so glad I read this because I could see how my words about food could get misconstrued sometimes when talking to people about eating healthy and wouldn’t want that, glad to have the refocus and reminder that it is a fine line that I probably sometimes cross and shouldn’t. Thank you. 🙂
Knowing that God is in control of everything should leave us all with a sense of peace. 🙂 Thanks Michelle!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I don’t even remember now how I found your blog, but I know that God led me here. This was exactly the reminder and encouragement I needed today. I’ve always eaten a relatively healthy diet, but just recently have been learning more about GMOs, etc. and making some changes towards an even more whole foods diet for my family. But it can be all-consuming! And when I realized I was feeling more pressure to read another book or blog about real food than I was to sit down and read the Word, I knew that something would need to change and I also have been minimizing what I read, making sure that the blogs, etc. point back to the Lord! Your blog has definitely made the cut. 🙂 Thank you for being willing to take a stand for Him!
I sometimes feel ashamed that it look me this long to stand up….so, thank you Rachel. 🙂
Normally I lurk and don’t reply to posts, but this hit home with me. Its so true. My mother and I have been eating better for several years and lost a lot of weight, but she developed breast cancer anyway. God still has plans for my mother, b/c her routine blood work was wrong so her doctor made her get a mammogram, finding the tumor before it could spread.
We will continue to eat good food, but organic is not always in our budget. I have a garden that I thank God for letting grow daily. I also thank Him for my harvest.
Great post. I agree wholeheartedly with your thoughts on canned tomatoes. 🙂
Stacy, I am so sorry to hear about your mother. 🙁 I will pray for her right now. Thanks for commenting today!
Thank you for posting this! I have been struggling with this for awhile now. I have, like you, watched tons of documentaries on organic whole food living, organic juicing, organic this and organic that. All I can do is feed my family the best I can fix, the best we can afford and pray for God to keep us safe and healthy as He sees fit. I could cry right now, I never realized until you posted this, that I was looking for food to cure me (I have Multiple Sclerosis) and I had quit talking to God about it. Thank you from the bottom of heart 🙂 God bless you and please keep blogging, yours is the 1 blog I read EVERY day no matter what.
Don’t cry! Rejoice! 🙂 Our God is healer!
I am SOOO proud of you Stacy! I know it takes courage to stand up for your beliefs and to share to your readers your heartfelt words but it’s truly a witnessing tool and
I applaud you! Life’s a journey and as we try our best to do as God asks us to do, we
learn and grow along the way and sharing that with readers is awesome! I continue to lift you and your precious family up in prayer. Miss seeing you! Love, S<
Thank you Suzanne! We need those prayers! 🙂 Miss you too!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have been thinking the same thing for awhile now, but didn’t want to offend my many friends who are constantly posting links about how this or that will kill me. Now I can just share this post. So well put and so so true. I think there are too many people living based on fear instead of faith, and this is a great example. Time and energy are needed for much greater things than worrying about every bIte we put into our mouths.
I too have been guilty of living by fear instead of faith…but now I have you all to keep me accountable! 🙂
Stacy- I’m a mom, a dietitian, and a Christian and I love this post! This is why we pray, “bless this food for our strength” and believe that it is to help us and not hurt. However, I have to try to do what I can- and I enjoy that part :). I don’t have any proof of this but I think the secret to a healthy body is more in our stress level than food…I know people that eat perfectly and can’t lose weight or gain energy. They have put so much effort into eating perfectly that they are worrying about everything. Thanks for sharing!
I”m pretty sure that God tells us repeatedly not to worry….so next time I do that, would you remind me? 🙂
Excellent post!
AMEN!!!!! One of the other things that bothers me about some real food blogs is that many of them have a “Holier than Thou” attitude, like they are better than everyone else because they only ever use raw milk, all organic produce, organic grass fed meat, processed/dyed/artificially sweetened food would never ever cross their mouths or their kids mouths, etc, and its annoying. Yes, I think we should take care of our health and our bodies, and we do the best we can; but I think fear, guilt, and shame is more damaging to our health than an occasional processed meal.
“I think fear, guilt, and shame is more damaging to our health than an occasional processed meal.” I think you’re 100% right!
LOVE this!! i need to be better about food in general (we eat out WAY too much)
i couldn’t agree more with you though that GOD is our god and not food, LOVE this post stacey!
Thank you, Jodi! 🙂
Thank you so much for this post!! I have been so tired of being made to feel that if I don’t go completely organic or feed my kids any kind of sugary drinks, etc, that I am a horrible mother! It is what it is and we just do the best we can! Thank you again, from a busy mommy of four and a pastors wife.
You are NOT a horrible mother….you have a hard job and you’re doing it to the best of your ability. Keep on, mama!
Amen, Sista! We don’t want to put our faith in things, belief systems, nor in our own abilities. Our faith belongs in our Creator, our salvation to our Savior.
If it were up to our own abilities, we’d be in BIG trouble. 🙂
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This is just what I needed to hear. The “whole foods” craze has really been getting to me lately. I too read whole food blogs, articles, etc., and there is so much information out there that I feel like my head is going to explode some days. It’s so confusing. I completely agree with EVERYTHING you wrote in this post. I will continue to eat a whole foods diet to the best of my ability as well, but not stress about it.
🙂 I”m tickled to know that I have people like you with me along for the ride!
First time reading your blog and I must say I love you! 🙂 Seriously…I’ve been in this same place feeling so very overwhelmed with information, decisions, regrets, feelings of failure. It’s exhausting. I thank you truly and deeply for this and will be a reader of yours from here on out. Many blessings!
Mindy, I’m glad to welcome you here! 🙂 Let me know if I can do anything to help ya!
Thank you! I am subscribed to so many “real” food blogs and a lot of them are written in a very condescending tone. I will be unsubscribing ASAP for that very reason. We do the best we can and don’t point fingers and belittle those who are not at the same place in their real food, healthier lifestyle journey. And there is always the person who believes the real food movement is hogwash, we love those people too…and invite them over for dinner. 🙂
Pregnancy has made you spicy Stacy, I like it!!!! Keep up the good work, keep telling it like it is and putting God first.
Nah, I’ve always been spicy…I’m just finally not letting fear of voicing it get in my way. 🙂
LOVE -sharing on FB.
Thanks Sara! I appreciate that. 🙂
You have become my new favorite blog!!! It is so refreshing to read a post that is real when it comes to food. Thank you for jumping out there and writing this. Thank you!
Now you’ve gone and made me nervous!
AMEN!
Excellent post Staey.
Thank you, Carol!!
Thank you for this post today! I needed to read this- I work 10 months out of the year as a teacher and enjoy every moment that I have with my two little ones. I sometimes feel very frustrated and guilty that I am not able to be home with them full time, cook every meal completely from scratch, and see them grow every moment of every day (not in a crazy momma way though 🙂 ) I try really hard to make sure I provide my family with what we need for a healthful life without driving myself (or my laid back husband) crazy. Moderation is where my thoughts are leading me and talking with my grandmothers about how they have been able to use almost anything as thoroughly as possible helps me remember that there was a way to do things before package processed foods- although goldfish still frequent our house!
Comfort yourself with the fact that Goldfish don’t have food coloring in them. LOL 😉
Your time with your babies is MUCH MORE important than your time in the kitchen – for one day, they’ll be old and gone. Cherish the time, mama!
“I say that we live in a fallen world – none of us are immune from the tragedies that are in it.”
Amen, sister.
Thanks Hallee….I hope you don’t mind that I linked you. 🙂
“God has numbered my days – and no amount of work on my part is going to change the date that He has in mind…nothing I can do will change that when it’s my time to go, I’m gonna go.”
I would gently disagree with this statement while agreeing with what you wrote otherwise. God gives us free choice. There are many areas where He allows us longer days because of obedience and shortens our days because of disobedience. There is no one day He has decreed for us to die. If we do what is contrary to His will – disobedience to parents for example as opposed to obedience (rewarded with long life) – we can shorten our lives.
The son of friends of ours disobeyed his parents and took the boat out in the morning with a friend, when his parents said to fish from the pier. He jumped in to get a lost oar and was never seen again.
At the funeral, my husband and I heard many times “It was God’s will – God’s timing.” No. God’s will for Michael was “children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.” It was not for Michael to die. Had he chosen obedience, he would have lived.
I agree 100% that we can do everything “right” as far as diet and still get cancer or something because of this fallen sinful world. But there is no denying it is best to do our best as far as diet. And I appreciate you pointing that out.
This is a huge issue right now and I am glad you ladies are tackling it. I have nine autoimmune conditions and they are definitely affected by my diet. A friend insists that God has already healed me and I just need to name it and claim the healing. A dangerous teaching.
Thank you for all you do – it is a blessing to many of us!
Denise
Denise, you might want to check out my friend Erin’s post (linked at the bottom) where she talks about what you addressed at the end. 🙂
I guess I’m just of a different school of thought. I believe that God knows everything that is going to happen, before it happens. He knew us before we were even in the womb. He knows what is going to happens to us each day…and therefore, if we die today he knew it was going to happen. For me, that translates that our days were numbered before we were even born.
“Remind me that my days are numbered.” Psalm 39:4
Thank you for your comment and your disagreement. 🙂 It proves that it IS possible to disagree with someone and do it in a nice and loving manner. I appreciate that more than you can know. THANK YOU!
Stacy, I absolutely agree that God knows when we will die and in that way our days are numbered. But scripture says that God rewards us for obedience and disciplines us for disobedience. That means we have something to do with what happens and when – man’s free choice. Like when Michael’s disobedience resulted in his death. I firmly believe that had he chosen to obey – God’s revealed will – he would have been alive and safe. God yearns for our our obedience to demonstrate our love to Him, but sometimes He allows natural consequences to take their course, though He would have wished better for us.
I really don’t think we disagree in other than semantics and maybe I didn’t express my belief very well. 🙂 Thank you for your recommendation – I am always looking to learn and be “sharpened” for the battle we fight here on earth. I will check it out.
Laus Deo!
Denise
I agree….we do have to face consequences for our sin. But no matter how I look at it, God knows in advance when we’re going to die – because He knows all things. So for me, that means our days are numbered. But we can agree to disagree…and it’s sorta fun! LOL
Wow! Thank you, thank you! I recently found your blog through pinterest and I am so thankful! I have already made lots of your crock pot recipes and am lovin it!! (got one cooking in crock pot now) Anyway, thanks for the post today. I often struggle with this issue because it it impossible to eat all organic and perfect everyday. Sometimes if feel guilty, but you reminded me that God is in control…amen! Have a blessed week.
And I’m sure glad He is…because I’d make a total mess of things! 🙂
Honestly, when I started reading blogs that were talking about “whole foods” I thought we were talking about real food….then I found out they are all talking about food in a Grocery Store. It’s the best promo job I’ve ever seen.
LOL
Truth!! I have been thinking the same for a while, but haven’t yet articulated it. Like you, I quit reading the healthy eating blogs. I wrote for LiveStrong for two years, and all of that nutritional research just about made me lose my mind. And the Christian authors who promote this as the solution — it just seems so wrong.
I know that I spent years tweaking my diet trying to get rid of an anxiety disorder. Nothing worked, although like you, I generally feel better when I eat healthy foods. What worked was knowing that Jesus is my savior and that he loves me and can give me peace. That he’s in control.
Thanks for this post!!
I know the losing my mind feeling….I thought a few times that I would go bananas. 🙂 Now, I just eat my bananas. lol
Once again, when I am feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, you speak to my heart and bring me great hope and encouragement and best of all grace. Thank you.
🙂 You are welcome, Janise…I need that very same grace.
Thank you for posting this, I think we guilt ourselves so much in life about what we are doing wrong, when in all honesty your article is so right. We should be feeding our children to the best of our abilities, but we should be more concerned about their salvation and being the example they need to see.
I have spent a lot of time worrying about things that I was doing “wrong.” I hope to never get in that spot again! Thank you Crissy! 🙂 You are spot on!
I couldn’t have said it better. I keep several whole foods/raw foods/organic only foods blogs that I keep up with, but I mostly skim them for recipes, because they DO have some good recipes sometimes. It breaks my heart to hear people ranting and raving about how their dietary lifestyle is better or preferable to anyone else’. What works for one doesn’t work for everyone. Like I’m a meat eating, dairy loving gal that rarely eats cooked veggies (raw here baby!), chia, and smoothies. It’s what works. I’m working on getting rid of many of our over processed foods and canning/making my own. However, I won’t get rid of everything. I just like the advice “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly veggies.”
You know, I was reading the Bible the other day and it was the passages where God made all the food clean for us to eat. I never thought to pray for Him to cleanse the foods. I just thought to thank Him for having done it in the first place. Well, I’m going to have to shake things up! 🙂
I read that book too!!! It was AWESOME! I loved the “If it came through a window, it’s not food.” LOL 🙂
What an amazing perspective, Stacy. Thanks for sharing. I think maybe I have been letting my journey to switch to whole foods start leading me, instead of allowing God to lead the journey. You bring up some interesting points, specifically, will it “kill me” to have some refined/processed sugar once in a while (your peanut butter m&m’s!)? No…. because God already has my days numbered. I guess I’ve been a little snooty with my family, not allowing any kinds of sugary snacks that they LOVE in the house, and instead making my own (which they are okay with, but you know, it’s not oreos!), and preaching to my hubby (and any of my 4 kids who will listen) about the dangers and horribleness of said snacks. I’m trying to better the health of myself and my family, but I’m realizing I’ve been trying to do this on my own, without allowing God to be the center, and leader, of it. By allowing God to help me do this for my family, I can better explain why we’re doing this to my kids, and help them grow and develop their own relationship with Christ. I don’t know if any of that makes sense, but your post just really opened my eyes this morning, and I’m grateful 🙂 thanks!!!
Thank you Heather! And your comment about your husband reminded me of my friend, Annie’s article(Quick Easy Cheap and Healthy)….it’s linked at the bottom and I think you’ll find that it’s a big blessing to you as well. 🙂
And your comment made perfect sense to me! Thanks for leaving it! 🙂
When I was diagnosed with cancer I was floored. I ate healthy, very healthy, my weight was on the lower end of the healthy-normal side, I exercised. Hmmm, the type I was diagnosed with had not been on either side of the family in the past. After I finished my treatments (ugh) my oncologist told me maybe I should have a hamburger and fries some time. I had to laugh. You are so right, as long as we use common sense in our eating our future is not what is on our plate.
Thank you for the wonderful comment, Jane. I am glad your oncologist had a good sense of humor. 🙂 It likely made things easier for you. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment here!
This is one of the best posts that I have read in a long time. It kind of stood up and said “are you listening Debbie?” As an older single woman I already feel inadequate because I don’t have children to care for and then to add the stress of trying to eat only what someone says is good for me, I do tend to put God second (or third) behind all of MY efforts. Thank you for the reminder – do my part and leave the rest to HIM.
Every time I try to listen to what someone else says is good for me, someone else ends up contradicting it. LOL That’s why we try to stick with original foods. 🙂 Thank you, Debbie! Kick your stress to the curb, girlfriend.
AMEN, AMEN and AMEN!!!! I couldn’t agree more and SO GLAD you posted this!!!
I’m glad I did too – I had no idea it would be such an encouragement!
Amen. I didn’t know what I was doing when I started. I started in protest to egg whites. Everyone wanted me to throw out the yokes and I thought, “Hey! God put those in. They must have value.” Also, I was creeped out about eggs in a box dyed yellow. So, I didn’t know it was whole foods when I started, I just resolved to 1. buy nutrition because food is expensive and I wasn’t going to pay for junk and 2. buy food in a form as close to how God made it as possible. But, what if, OH NO, we go to some new Christians house for fellowship and she offers us frozen pizza? We have freedom in the Bible to eat junk and I think loving our sisters and brothers in Christ and not lecturing them or acting like they are trying to deliberately poison us is of utmost importance, too. Boy, my kids are like Twinkies–woohoo!!! People buy twinkies and sugar cereal for my kids for Christmas. Oy. Now, that’s a different story . . . . might be sabotage. Nope not going there 🙂
Aw, you know you can space those Twinkies out all year long….because they NEVER EXPIRE. lol
Amen, Sister! Thank you! I think God has used you today to share a message of love and grace and sovereignty. He doesn’t want us to “fear” food nor for it to become an idol.
You scared me…it scares the dickens out of me to think that God is using me to speak to all of you all. I am nothing. He is ALL.
Shalom,
Good post~I think your right we can make anything into an idol~Anything: husband, children,friends, blogging, facebook, music, t.v., sports, books etc………
4 “Hear, O Israel: (E)The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[b] 5 You (F)shall love the Lord your God with ALL YOUR HEART and with ALL YOUR SOUL and with ALL YOUR MIGHT. 6 And (G)these words that I command you today SHALL BE WRITTEN ON YOUR HEART 7 (H)You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 (I)You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 (J)You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Shalom,
Moira
Moira, you are so right…anything can quickly become an idol. And when we have idols in our life, nothing seems to go right. I know for FACT that when I don’t have God first, my life is pretty shabby.
Thanks for the great comment and wonderful scripture reference!
I haven’t read all the comments above just for a lack of time, so if I repeat any of the above forgive me. Thank you for posting this. I have been thinking recently about starting a new blog based completely on the points you made. I also have quit reading certain whole food blogs because of the guilt I feel when I can’t follow their rules. I also believe completely that God has numbered our days and that will not change no matter what we eat. Yes, we should take care of our bodies to the best of our ability, but God knows our hearts in this matter and knows that we aren’t all able to eat a perfectly healthy diet 100% of the time. Actually, I don’t believe their is such a thing in this fallen world we live in, but you know what I mean. Thank you for sharing and I would love to share the button above on my blog if you don’t mind.
Blessings,
Rashel
You go right ahead and share it! Let’s share God’s food grace with ALL who need it!
I really appreciate today’s post. I work at a health food store and with a nice discount am able to afford to eat more organic food than when our children were at home. I’ve also been exposed to more understanding about the herbs God created for our help along the way. However, in all the hype that comes along (milk is bad for all adults, meat is bad, all grains are bad, etc.) I use Scripture as my guide: the Promised Land was called the land flowing with milk and honey, Jesus had 2 miracles feeding people fish and bread, the fatted calf was a good thing, our Savior Himself is called the Bread of Life, etc. True, some people have allergies to various foods but to tell everyone they should stay away from complete food categories is putting themselves and their wisdom before God’s.
And just let me tell ya, I love some fatted calf! Amen!
I am on the same page with you! I read your blog daily & this is the first comment I’ve made, but I just had to let you know how right on you are! We have to be led by God because research changes all the time. He knows and He directs!
Well, it’s nice to meet you Anna! 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
AMEN SISTER! Amen!
Thank ya! 🙂
YES!!!! This is exactly right! Keep the first things first – love the Lord, love your neighbor. I try my best to feed my family nutritious foods (and usually succeed), but I refuse to be consumed by guilt that we do not drink raw milk or eat ferments with every meal. Thank you for taking a stand and reminding all of us what is the most important. 🙂 Amen!
And thanks for standing with me, Angie! 🙂
This is awesome! I’ve been feeling this way lately too.
🙂 It seems we ALL were….nice to have it out now, huh?
Spot on, girl! Glad we’re on the same page. 🙂
I’m glad to have you on my team, Erin! 🙂 You’re a blessing.
So enough was FINALLY enough this week? My goodness you are on a tear! *wink* You know, I signed up for your blog alerts for “budgeting” advice…not criticism of the “whole foods lifestyle”. LOL
*sigh* Unfortunately I think maybe yours was the blog God led me to for this exact reason. I’ve not gone whole-hog on the Whole Foods wagon, but I was probably headed there. You are very right–most of the blogs are hypercritical when you DON’T DO IT ALL and even the ones who state emphatically that they are Christian (of whatever denomination) sure don’t act like it. And it was rather interesting to note that my other favorite blog had pretty much the same sort of post within the last month…and then she went on to say, “but make sure you stick to…”
Life is confusing enough without making mealtimes stressful too. I hate to cook anyway and feeding my family gives me grey hairs on a good day. So, since we are all in agreement on the “simple traditional foods”, we’ll stick to our regularly scheduled meals…and switch out to “better” ingredients when we can.
Thank you for being brave this week!
I feel like I might finally have my voice. 😉 I’m glad you’re along for the ride! I’ll try to make Thursdays post a little more laid back. LOL
Stacy…thanks so much for this amazing post. What a blessing it was to read this as I start my day. I love the stand you take for the Lord. You are right….he is our only SAVIOR!!!! Have a wonderful day Stacy!
Thank you, Diana! 🙂 My day has been fabulous…and I am glad to see we’re all standing together!
Please delete my comment above. My comment did not come across the way I intended. Your blog is wonderful! Thank you for this post!
Hi Angela….I think I already approved your comment. 🙂 No worries!
Thank You!! Thank you!
There are people that believe like I do that God gave us food – all kinds. Thank you
🙂 You’re welcome Kim!
Thank you, Stacy, for stating what many of us have been thinking. I have come up against this time and time again. I even got blasted on one blog for daring to suggest that the ‘fermented cod liver oil’ was financially out-of-reach for most of us and replacing it with a good but affordable alternative was just fine. This whole ‘food is our god’ has been nagging at me, too. So, I am off to get off of those guilt-inducing blogs right now! Thank you for your boldness!
If you’re anything like me, you’ll feel as though a TON has been lifted off your shoulders. 🙂
Another Amen! I am so glad to read that I am not the only one feeling this way and living this way. When I was trying to do it all, I found myself not relying on God less..took my focus off of him and that is wrong. We decided just was not for us. We buy/eat what we can and do what we can do…and let it go into God’s hands. That is all any of us can do. Great post!
Someone wise once told me “good enough is good enough.” And she was right. 🙂
Same thoughts have been on my heart recently about the whole “movement” to whole food, healthy eating or whatever else it is called. Thank you! (shared on Facebook)
Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Well said Stacy!
Thank you, Sue!
Thank you! You took the words right out of my mouth. I can’t believe that someone would try to blame a miscarriage on what she ate. Are they trying to say that miscarriages are something new? I would venture to say miscarriages and cancer have been around longer than food additives and pesticides have.
Man has a void that only God can fill in their lives. When they reject God, they try to fill that void with something else – in the case you mentioned, it’s eating only whole, natural foods.
I do what I can to feed my family good food as time and money allows, but it’s nothing to obsess about. It’s always interesting to listen to what people who live to be 100 say contributed to their long life. Sometimes it’s booze and fatty foods. I wonder what they would say to that?
LOL Booze and fatty foods! LOL Oh my gosh! I laughed so HARD!!!!
This was a great article! I write about health once a week on my blog. I think eating healthy is important. I encourage people to simply eat food as close to how God created it to be eaten. BUT loving your husband, your children, others, and Jesus are way more important and I hope people completely understand that by reading my blog…A very good thing to ponder.
Lori, I am sure they do. 🙂
Your food may not ALWAYS be real, but YOU are!!!! You are the best thing to come from working at the bank, so glad to have a real friend like you. Keep up the great work!
Keep it real! 😉
And to think…you haven’t killed me yet. 🙂
I love your comment about praying over each meal…. It’s more than thanking God for the food that he has provided us, BUT it is also to Bless it, CLEANSE it, and for it to nourish our bodies…. I think people (including myself) can forget that sometimes…
I forget it too….I think it’s something we should remind ourselves of often. 🙂
Thank you!!!
I have been so overwhelmed by the whole foods movement. It is good to hear a voice of reason.
I have never before been called “a voice of reason.” LOL Thanks Kathy! 🙂 I think I’ll have to tell my dad you said that. 😉
Stacy, I sooo agree with you. We’ve been doing the real food thing for a few years now and then flirted with traditional foods for a bit. I realized this past year that it had become an idol to me. Very much regretting that food got more of my attention than my husband or my kids. How very sad to type those words. But God has been so good to teach me balance, how to love, and to let go of perfectionism and pride…in that small part of my world, anyway…gots me a long way to go in that department :).
God teaches me something every day…and I am glad. Or else, I’d be in ROUGH shape. 🙂 I am so unworthy, and yet He doesn’t give up on me.
I love your comment about praying over each meal…. It goes deeper than thanking God for the food he has provided, BUT it’s also to Bless it, CLEANSE it, and Allow it to nourish our bodies… I think a lot of people (including myself)forget that sometimes….
You know, that’s really the reason I pray over my food…..to say “thanks!” and to also say “protect me, Lord.” Makes sense to me. 🙂
I’ve been thinking the same thing for a while. I have friend who even uses organic toothpaste and organic lotion- for triple the price. I’ve never heard of death via non-organic toothpaste. Yet, she is convinced she will die a horrible, early death if she uses Crest. It’s absolutely absurd. I also have those friends that any health issue they do the “blame game” of what you must be consuming that gives someone an illness, disease, or even the common cold. I think it’s their way of making themselves feel better. “Well, I don’t drink soda and soda must have gave this person this illness, so I’m safe”. It’s really horrible. People seem to lack all compassion. They also will insinuate that you wouldn’t have gotten sick if you would have been using an expensive essential oil, vitamin, or supplement that they use. I’m a firm believer that if it’s in Gods Plan that you will get Cancer (or whatever illness) then you will get it whether you workout hardcore 7 days a week or sit on the couch most of the time. Look at all the athletes who get terrible diseases. I still believe that you should treat your body the best you can of course. But, you can’t be a slave to health and assume that you can change your destiny. This is a great post and thanks for sharing 🙂
We can do absolutely nothing about the number of our days…we can only make them better. And by living a lifestyle of worry and fear, we make our days here pretty stinky.
Thank you for that post. As a nurse one of my favorite things is to remind people that we ALL have an expiration date, unfortunately it’s not stamped on our packaging. Live enjoying today while preparing for tomorrow: taking care physically, spiritually and emotionally. When theses three things are in balance is when I see a higher quality of life in my patients. We may not be able to always add years to our lives, but we can most certainally add life to our years!
Ha! 🙂 An expiration date….that’s awesome! 🙂
I also have been unsubscribing from blogs that don’t support Christianity – not just whole food blogs but crafting, decorating, finances, etc. I have plenty of blogs and books to read on these subjects that are written by Christians!
Keep up the good work! I love your blog!
Thank you, Debra! Make it’s time we just make a clean sweep of things. 🙂
Wowsa! You are on a roll this week. (Smile). I will stand in line behind you any day. 🙂 I remember about 20 years ago realizing how easy it was to get sucked into one person’s way of thinking based on their book/opinions/movies. I like balanced approach of weighing all the options and educating myself and THEN making my own decisions. Just like you did. Well done.
I am on a roll….it might get be banned from the internet. LOL
I do agree with your post. It is ultimately God Who saves. But He also allows us consequences of bad choices. I’ll stick with a mostly organic, responsibly sourced diet. I despise the huge food conglomerates and what they stand for, and it’s difficult for me to give money to people who spray my food with poisons. God did give us foods to nourish us, and I do take that seriously. But not to the exclusion of Him, Who is the Beginning and End of all things. I do my best, and I trust Him to do with it as He pleases. I have a 9 year old daughter who is a cancer survivor, and you bet I watch what I expose her to. I also have joint issues and found that when I limit wheat, the pain goes away. So I limit bread, but I love it too much to give it up completely. But I did once for 3 months when my pain was so bad I could barely walk. Keeping the diet of my family as close to how God designed it is very important to me for these reasons and others. It can remain important, but it won’t compete with God in my life 🙂
Yes, he does allow us the bad consequences and that’s why we still choose to eat a mainly whole foods diet. However, we are not of the belief that if we eat a whole foods diet all of the time that we’re immune to certain things. That’s just not the case in this fallen world.
And you’re right…it CAN remain important and not compete with God. 🙂
Amy, I agree with you 100%.
Listen for my AMEN in the produce aisle next time I pick up some non-organic fruit!!!
I’ll listen….I might be louder than you though. LOL
Amen! Honestly, I have been getting a bit overwhelmed at some of the posts and comments myself. I enjoy your blog it is so refreshing to read. Keep up the good work.
Thank you, Melissa. 🙂 I never want to overwhelm anyone….slow and steady is best anyway – keeps us from giving up!
LOVE this post! I have, many times myself, gone off the deep end with the whole foods stuff. I realized I was thinking that somehow I could add a day to my life, when I am not Sovereign. The Lord convicted me of this-again- recently, when I felt myself being “consumed” (I was trying to go Primal) Then, I read some verse about being “gluttoners of meat.” I had to laugh at God’s graciousness on me! 🙂 I would also recommend the Passionate Homemaking blog. She’s got a sweet heart for the Lord and a good balanced approach, too. And, another thing is that recently my husband had me watch this video ( http://www.canonwired.com/featured/organic-part-1/ ) and it rocked me! It was just what I needed. And, I add a hearty “amen” to the list of “amens” above! 🙂 (as I drink my Raw milk and eat a peanut m&m!) 🙂
Raw milk?! I’m super jealous, girl. 🙂 Great comment!!!
I honestly always worry a little about this, not because I think it’s wrong (I don’t, at all) but because I think some people then say “Who cares, God is ALL I need and the choices I make don’t matter at all!” I know that’s not what you’re saying. God gave us free will and a desire to be good stewards of the resources that He provided us. And He gave us a desire to prayerfully consider what we do and make the right choices for our families.
Should anything be above Him? No. Only Jesus can truly save us.
We need balance and understanding though, and we need people to walk us through our journeys on earth gently. People who will pray alongside us, help us sort through information, help us to make the choices that we feel are best for our family. We don’t need to get caught up in the exact details of “what people should eat” or feel guilty for a lack of perfection (I buy non-organic grapes, strawberries, and apples as treats too sometimes — oh no!).
I guess I believe the same as you but approach the conversation a little differently. 🙂 I always look for the resources God provides me and seek His guidance in the choices I’m making and so appreciate what He has given me, and appreciate the (better, but not perfect) health He allows me by using what He created. It won’t save me but I believe He smiles on those who appreciate His creation. 🙂
🙂 I wanted to make sure people understood exactly what I was saying. That’s why I included the part about how much better we feel when we DO eat whole foods…so that’s why we keep on. But, I do not condone those blogs who feel as though whole foods will save them from sickness and any illness. That’s just not the case. Our days ARE numbered….can we make them better? Yep, but we surely don’t control them.
I do write differently than most bloggers. 🙂 I write as though I were speaking directly to someone. And I agree…He DOES smile when we appreciate His creation. Thanks Kate!
Thank you! I was starting to feel bad for not doing better switching all foods over yet. It is a slow process, but I’m trying to do better. And before processed foods existed, people still got sick, died young, etc. I am so glad that I don’t have to worry about a chocolate bar deciding my life expectancy 😉
Lisa, going slow is the best way to go. It allows us to stick with things instead of losing our minds. 🙂 I find that when I do something gradually, it stays with me forever…but if I go whole hog, I usually fall off the wagon and give up.
And this is why I LOVE YOUR BLOG! Our focus and priority should always be to honor God and enjoy Him. Nothing should consume us more. Fear and worry cannot be our motivation to choose healthy food. We should be eating healthy to honor God with our bodies.
Thank you for sharing the blogs you read to feel encouraged. Thank you for continuing to write your blog!
And fear and worry will send us to our grave WAY earlier than a Hershey bar. 😉
Stacy, that was perfectly written. This is a post I 110% agree with!!! Of course I thank God for my occasional double stuffed Oreos!!! I am sure he loves them too!!
Thank you, Debbie! 🙂
I love this post, because so often I feel so awful because I can’t do everything. This is a great perspective and filled with God’s grace. Wonderful!
Kate, you are one of the best moms I know…so, tell your awful to take a hike!
Amen – and thank you! I feel the same way.
🙂 Thanks for standing with me.
Oh my goodness Stacy….I almost commented on your post yesterday but was derailed by one of my sweet children…Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post!!! I was saying something similar to a friend the other day but she’s very caught up in the whole thing unfortunately and couldn’t see my point. It’s been quite sad to see how the food blog world has evolved. I’m so grateful for your encouragement and common sense and hope you keep it up!!!
You can be sure I will….maybe that’s why I had to do that other post YESTERDAY. lol
Way to go. 🙂 Organic doesn’t mean healthy, just like taking elderberry syrup doesn’t mean you won’t get a cold. We can only try our hardest (which may vary, depending on the day) and pray.
Try our hardest and pray. Amen!
Good for you! The Word tells us therefore there is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus and I think it applies to ALL areas of our life. I believe if we would take a more healthy stand on all aspects of our lives and not allow magazine covers, media and news determine how we look and feel about things now and just go back to His Word that we would all be better off. I believe it truly is all things in moderation. I struggle with making food my idol just because that I like it too much. I need to work on that area of my life but that is something only He can deliver me from. Not man. Thanks Stacy for your wholesome outlook. God bless you and your family and your new “bean”. 🙂
Thank you, Amy! 🙂 I love your scripture reference!