MAKE YOUR HEALTH A GOAL

 It may take a turn around, but health is beauty. Make your health a goal.

The most powerful king in the world, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon commanded a diet for four captured Jewish boys. "And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank..." Daniel 1:5. But Daniel “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat…” It took ten days of healthy food, and Daniel and his three friends were outstanding in their appearance.

Daniel and his friends were trained in all matters of wisdom and understanding that Babylon had to offer, but the food was an issue. Daniel requested of the Prince, "Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, (something sown, a vegetable) and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer (beautiful, best) and fatter (plump, firm) in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse." (Daniel 1:12-16).

Just do it. (The Bible does include beef, lamb and other “clean” food as in the sacrifices in the Law), Daniel here seems to have limited his food to vegetables and water. You have one life and getting from Scripture the wisdom to live it well is more than worth the effort. Settling into a warm and active relationship with Jesus through Scripture will change everything, beginning now. Your future will be changed.

MAKE YOUR OWN BREAD

 

MAKING YOUR OWN BREAD

It can be any combination of whole grain, but here is a bread recipe with whole wheat flour. Keep it simple and as you grow in experience, you will be amazed at its satisfying aroma, texture and taste. Bread can be powerfully good for your health. Fine whole grain flour, olive oil, honey, salt, yeast, and water.

 

Good health is beautiful.

 

"...thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful..." Ezekiel 16:13.

 

WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

 

6 Cups whole wheat flour (room temperature)

3 Cups warm water

1/3 Cup Olive Oil

1/3 Cup pure Honey

1 Tablespoon active dry Yeast (check date)

1 level Tablespoon Salt

DIRECTIONS:

MIX WELL IN LARGE BOWL

3 Cups warm water

1/3 Cup honey

1/3 Cup oil

1 level Tablespoon salt

1 Tablespoon active dry yeast

5 Cups whole wheat flour (first)

Let mixed dough rest 15 minutes … it will rise slightly.

On kneading surface or countertop put remaining 1 Cup flour KNEAD 100 X as you work 1 cup flour into dough.

1.   In a large bowl, mix the warm water, oil, honey, yeast and salt.

2.   Add 6 Cups whole wheat flour to liquid mixture. Mix well. (add one cup for kneading). Let dough rest 15 minutes in bowl.

3.   Add dough to flour on counter and knead 100X (working in cup of flour on counter). It will become a ball and easy to handle.

4.   Prepare a cookie sheet, spread liberally with butter, flour.

5.   Cut dough into two rounds. Place on cooking sheet.

6.   Beat one egg. Add 3 Tablespoons of Old Fashioned Oats to egg.

7.   Spread oat and egg mixture on round loaves with fingers. Let shaped dough rise in a warm place about 1 hour.

8.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake about 35 minutes.

Bake until top of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped, about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 to 20 minutes before removing from the pan and transferring to a cooling rack. Let cool an additional hour before slicing.

THE BIBLE ... IT'S A FOOD GUIDE, TOO

 It is coming clearer after years studying this. When you understand the Bible as a Guide, it covers every area of your life. It reveals how our “spiritual” and “physical” lives help to explain each other. "And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst." John 6:35 Jesus Himself is the symbol of health, both physical and spiritual. Why did The Holy Spirit choose bread as the essence of nourishment? Bread, the staff of life is indeed health benefiting if the ingredients are from the whole grain and the other ingredients are good. It is health building for your whole being. Like Jesus, the Bread of Life, whole grain bread is a mainstay.

"And wine that makes glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengthens man's heart." Psalm 104:15

Whole grain bread, complete with the bran (the fiber rich outer layer has B Vitamins and trace minerals), the endosperm (with carbohydrates and protein) and germ (the nutrient rich core, Vitamin E, B Vitamins, healthy fats, and antioxidants) is known to be good for your heart. Jesus is the Way to a spiritually healthy heart. Whole grain bread holds the elements created within them for our health: it is profoundly, uniquely a picture of Jesus, The Bread of Life.

Jesus said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eats of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:51 

An understanding of the health benefits of whole grain bread (bread created from the natural form of the whole grain) comes from the illustration of Jesus Himself.

Considering the importance of the whole grain for our health, as I have grown up, it is a connection to God’s blessing. His creation of the whole grain and our need for it is in Scripture.

“He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied you.” Psalm 81:16 

“He makes peace in your borders and fills you with the finest of the wheat.” Psalm 147:14 

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eats of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:51 

Good bread is a contributor to your good health.

The “LIVING Bread which came down from heaven” is the Way to live forever with our God and Creator in Heaven. "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:28. It is for you and me. This is, as Jesus said, “My flesh, which I will give for the life of world.” John 6:51. He is the “Bread of Life.”

Gluten is a protein found in many different grains as a way for the plant to store protein. https://www.livestrong.com/

BREAD IS BASIC…IF MADE AS IT SHOULD BE

Next time: A SIMPLE RECIPE FOR WHOLE GRAIN BREAD