The way I eat...

is forever changing.  When I think back 11 years ago to how we ate when we were first married, I cringe a bit.  But I have been making our own bread for almost that long, which is fun.  That has changed a lot too, my bread-making method.  It's fun to learn and grow. 

My friend Jessica recently helped me grow in a new way that I wanted to share with you.  She gave me a book called Discovering the Word of Wisdom.  I devoured the book (ha ha, that was for you, Jonas) and enjoyed and agreed with its message: that we should eat a whole foods, plant-based diet (WFPB).  That is fruits and veggies, legumes and grains.  Yum!  What more could a girl ask for?  Chocolate, that's what.  So I eat that too. 

Here's a link to a 12-minute video if you want to see what Discovering is about.  If you want to learn more, check out the documentary Forks Over Knives.  It's only 1 1/2 hours long and is fun and informative and you will lose three pounds just by watching it! 

Why am I so jazzed about eating WFPB?  One is that it is pleasing to my Heavenly Father AND I get some amazing blessings if I follow the Word of Wisdom.  Here they are:
D&C 89
18 - And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19- And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20 - And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21 - And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them.  Amen.

Amen!  I want to make a couple of points here that I think are important.  The first is that this Word of Wisdom as the Church calls Doctrine and Covenants 89 is more of an invitation, an optional thing; "not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days -- . . . a principle with promise."  So we can still live with Heavenly Father, attend the temple, be good and righteous people if we don't follow this, but if we don't, I think it safe and fair to say that we have no claim upon the blessings and promise (the destroying angel passing me by) if we don't follow it.  Heavenly Father also teaches us that he is pleased when we do follow it, and we will be happiest and healthiest if we do. 

We know all about what to avoid: tobacco, coffee, tea (am I bad that I drink herbal tea?  I don't know.  I need to research that.  I LOVE peppermint tea!), drugs, and alcohol, though the scriptures don't spell all of those out for us.  The prophets have taught us about some of those things.  There are many scriptures in the WoW that discuss what we should eat: "wholesome herbs...every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving."  v14 - "All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life." 
v16 - "All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground"
So maybe we should stick with what the WoW says we should eat, and nothing more.  Except for chocolate.

And then there's meat.  So much of the American diet revolves around meat, and most of that is poor quality.  Yet Heavenly Father says three times that we should not eat meat except in times of winter or cold or famine.  v13 - "And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine."  See also verses 12 and 15. 

So why do so many members eat SO MUCH meat?  Vegetarianism isn't preached from the pulpit, not like avoiding pornography, and for good reason.  Eating meat and animal products isn't nearly as detrimental as viewing and becoming addicted to pornography.  Heavenly Father said Himself that the WoW isn't a commandment, just a really good idea if you want healthy bodies and some great blessings.  Jane Birch, author of Discovering the WoW also pointed out that it took 100 years for the saints to give up coffee, tea and tobacco.  They finally had to put it in as a temple recommend question for it to become mainstream.  Maybe we aren't ready or willing to give up the meat unless absolutely required to do so. 

Our family is venturing into veganism, though not strictly because we have no allergies, and if my kids are offered cheese at another person's home, they gladly gobble it up.  We are giving up animal byproducts for the most part because I read a book called The China Study that discussed the many negative effects of animal protein.  First of all, the emphasis on protein is overdone.  Our bodies can get all the protein they need from eating plants, yes, even veggies.  But whole grains and legumes are also great sources.  This enormous study that was done in China showed that those who consumed the least amount of animal products had the best health, if they also had access to preventing the diseases of poverty (vaccinations, sanitation, etc.).  Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, they are all wreaking havoc here in America and we could do away with these for the most part simply by eating plants.  If you don't believe me, read The China Study.  You can borrow my copy if you want to.  And since starting this new way of eating, we have spent a lot less money on groceries, hooray! 

I think there were other points I wanted to make but I'm too tired to think of them.  Maybe I'll come back and post some more.  Probably not, looking at my history.