You’ve heard me mention on several occasions that I really like the book What The Bible Says About Healthy Living. Do I agree with everything it says? Nope. I do agree with the overall tone of the book and the message that Rex Russell is trying to convey. But, in addition to the book, there is also a cookbook that goes with it – written by Hope Egan and Amy Cataldo. I wasn’t able to find it at my library, so I had to wait and ask for it for my birthday. 😆 Surprisingly it’s called What The Bible Says About Healthy Living Cookbook….I always like throwing you for a loop.
Every recipe in the book is easy to follow. The ingredients aren’t abnormal, which you’ll sometimes find with other “healthy” cookbooks. You won’t find weed of wart, weird animal body parts, or far east spices in this book. I’ve already found several recipes that I am eager to try out, including Asian Chicken, Refried Bean Wraps, Ezekiel Bread, and Carob Cake. Each recipe follows the three principles that Mr. Russell outlines in his book:
1. Eat only substances God created for food. Avoid what is not designed for food.
2. As much as possible, eat foods as they were created – before they are changed or converted into something humans think might be better.
3. Avoid food addictions. Don’t let any food or drink become your god.
Each recipe has the same elements: ingredients, instructions, Divine Design, and variations. Some recipes have Love Thy Leftovers for ways to use up anything that might be left over. (You can click on the recipe to the left to see a larger version and inspect how the recipes are laid out.) It’s SO easy to follow and even the novice cook would be happy with this cookbook. I would really enjoy it better if each recipe also had a photo – but that’s just me. I prefer to know if my food looks right or if I really did burn it. Is it really supposed to be that dark (er….burned)?
I am very pleased with this cookbook. I’m glad it’s easy to follow with no weird and out-there processes.
You will not find any recipes in the book that use pork. Mr. Russell does not believe that pork was created to eat. For the longest time after we started this new way of life, I wouldn’t cook or eat pork. I was having a hard time reconciling the Old and New Testament and the “rules” that God set forth. Jesus did not come to “abolish” the law, he came to “fulfill” the law – so I thought that meant we should still be eating the same. After much prayer and talking with our mentors, Barry and I have decided that pork is fine for our family to eat. Do I think it’s fine for everyone? Nope. Studies show that pork isn’t very good to eat if you have certain medical conditions or arthritis. But it’s not against Bible standards to eat pork…or any other food. Jesus declared all foods “clean” (Mark 7:14-23) and the New Testament states that foods are made clean through prayer. Let me be clear about something – Jesus making all foods clean doesn’t mean that you can pray over your Twinkie and it’s healthy. No. Jesus was talking about “clean” and “unclean” foods in the Old Testament. The unclean foods are now clean, as stated by Jesus. Sorry for that sidetrack, I just thought you might want to know why the cookbook doesn’t contain any pork recipes. Anyway, I think you’ll really like this cookbook and if you come over and eat anytime soon, you may find a recipe or two from this cookbook I’ll try out on you.
Cool! I’m friends with Hope and have met Amy. We all went to church together in Chicago. Hope is a VA gal now. “Holy Cow” is also a good read by her. As far as sausage gravy is concerned, you might get deported if you don’t eat it. 🙂
Sausage gravy – be still my heart!
Just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your site, your thoughts,your humor and the fact that you use God’s Word as your plumbline in your decisions and in what you communicate to your readers. You are much appreciated!
Thank you Beth. 🙂 You made my day!
HEEEEEY! I came to you via another blog….uhhhh wish I remembered….but anyway the pizza sauce is now on my to do list, thanks. This cookbook looks interesting. Like you said, common sense isn’t always so common. Have you checked out Mark Bittman and Michael Pollan stuff? Great books and cookbooks on real food. Love!
Yes! Great authors! I did a review of one of Pollan’s books here: http://www.stacymakescents.com/what-i%E2%80%99m-reading-%E2%80%93-food-rules
I enjoy being a food guinea pig. *cough*
Well, you live rather far away. 😉
I didn’t eat pork for a while after reading Jordan Rubin’s The Maker’s Diet, but at the same time, I recognized that it wasn’t necessarily “unclean” just perhaps not the healthiest meat out there. However, when my son became allergic to beef, my choices were a.) limit our meats to chicken and turkey or b.) pay out the wazoo for exotic meats like buffalo or c.) go hunting for deer and rabbit (we don’t hunt; that would actually be quite funny to see my husband hunting, lol) or d.) add a little pork to the chicken/turkey diet. I chose D. We still only eat it a couple times a month at most, but I don’t see a Biblical reason to avoid it, either.
Seems like you reached a logical decision. 🙂 We don’t eat it much either because I think it’s expensive – but we do eat it occasionally.
It’s funny but I don’t like pork anyway. My hubby thinks its funny but I will buy pretty much any meat but pork. lol I would much rather have chicken or turkey or beef. I heard something about pork in the past few years and it really just disgusted me and I just can’t look at the same anymore.
I’m not a huge fan, but Barry is. 🙂 I do love sausage gravy though.
I agree with your philosophy about food. I happen to have celiac disease so can’t eat gluten safely, and as you said Twinkies aren’t really good for you so one has to use common sense.
Sometimes it seems as though common sense isn’t so common. 😉
Amen, to that!