Christmas is a very special time of the year when Christians celebrate the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ and the impact that he has on their lives. The Christmas message is one of joy, peace on Earth and good will to all people. At Christmastime, we express our love and appreciation of family and friends by giving them gifts and cards. With good health in mind, I have some ideas for gifts that can provide a lasting benefit for those special people in our lives, gifts that can promote their health and well being.
1) A daily devotional book. For those who are spiritually minded, spending time each day in prayer and meditation is a very worthwhile and highly rewarding experience. Quiet time spent in devotion puts daily concerns into perspective and serves to relieve stress. The gift of a daily devotional book according to a person’s faith will lift and inspire, provide spiritual guidance, daily encouragement and peace of mind.
2) Gifts that promote healthy outdoor activities and exercise. These could include walking shoes, suitable clothing, and gardening tools. For the even more energetic, you could consider sports equipment, hiking boots and camping gear. From the point of view of our health and wellbeing, it is very important to spend more time outdoors engaging in regular low-intensity exercise. Gardening and frequent walks are highly recommended.
3) The Brita Water Filtration Pitcher/Dispenser. This is available in three different sizes, each of which is fitted with an interchangeable filter certified to reduce the levels of benzene, cadmium, chlorine, copper, lead, mercury and zinc that may be present in tap water. It is not generally known that tap water is required to meet more stringent standards than bottled water and the addition of the Brita filtration system makes it even purer. Please note that the plastic from which the Brita pitchers and dispenser are made does not contain bisphenol A (BPA) so there is no risk that this product will leach into filtered water stored in the containers.
4) The “Magic Bullet”. This is a high-speed blender that comes with lots of accessories and is very reasonably priced. I prefer blending to juicing in the case of fruit. With juicing, the calories are concentrated and the fiber removed. Blending achieves the opposite result and the “Magic Bullet” serves its purpose well. It is quick and easy to use and simple to clean afterwards. Suggested recipe: Blend one half-cup of organic soy milk, with one chopped sweet apple and some strawberries and/or grapes, all of which are certified organic or are pesticide-free. The result is a delicious shake, rich in antioxidants, fiber, isoflavones and vitamins.
5) The Breville Juice Fountains. This family of juicers is highly recommended for their speed and ease of use. They are centrifugal juicers which first grate the fruit or vegetables and then separate the juice from the pulp using centrifugal force. The most expensive model costs $300.00 and is made of stainless steel but a budget plastic version is available, for around $100.00. Juicing is an excellent way to obtain nutrition from fresh vegetables, some of which such as chard and kale are difficult to consume raw. The only drawback with juicing, apart from concentrating calories in the case of fruits, is the removal of fiber. It is therefore important to ensure an adequate fiber intake in the diet by consuming some whole fruit, vegetables and grains also.
6) A Steamer. Whenever vegetables are to be cooked then it is best to steam or lightly stir-fry them. More of the goodness is retained this way. Boiling is not advisable because water-soluble vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals will leach out from the vegetables and be lost when the water is drained off. A steamer is therefore a very important addition to the healthy cooking inventory.
7) “The Spectrum” by Dean Ornish, M.D. This book is a successor to “Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease” which presented his ground breaking studies on reversing coronary heart disease without drugs or surgery but instead with the adoption of a very low-fat vegetarian diet coupled with a regular exercise program, relaxation techniques and group support. Now, he has followed this work with “The Spectrum” which helps the reader assess their current health status and then offers a range of dietary and exercise options to improve their health and well being. The book includes some of the latest information on preventive medicine and there are also some excellent recipes by the celebrated chef Art Smith.
8) “Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes” by Neal D. Barnard, M.D. If you know someone who is suffering from Type 2 diabetes or is pre-diabetic then this would be a wonderful gift for them and one whose recommendations they could discuss with their physician. Tragically Type 2 diabetes, which used to be called Adult-Onset diabetes but is now also seen in children, is becoming all too common, largely as a result of the current obesity epidemic. Recipes are also included with the book.
9) “The UltraMind Solution” by Mark Hyman, M.D. Eating a healthy diet is not only important for our physical health, it is also essential for our mental wellbeing, a fact that is often overlooked. In this book, Dr. Hyman presents many case studies where behavioral problems were found to be associated with poor diet, chemical toxicity, abnormal intestinal microflora and deranged metabolism. By prescribing a program of cleansing and dietary improvement, including supplementation tailored to the patients’ needs, Dr. Hyman reports dramatic success with cases of depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD) and even autism and early dementia. His work breaks new ground in the emerging field of Functional Medicine.
10) “Eat to Live” by Joel Fuhrman, M.D. This is an excellent no-nonsense book that describes the dangers of the current Standard American Diet and gives clear and uncompromising advice about what we should do to lose weight and achieve optimum health by eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes and grains. More than 80 percent of Dr. Fuhrman’s chronic headache and migraine sufferers recovered without medication when they changed to the new diet. Also, many of his patients with autoimmune diseases such as asthma, hyperthyroidism, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis were able to recover and renounce their medications once they adopted his recommendations. Recipes are included.
The books can all be obtained online from Amazon.com or you could try your local bookstore.
Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and a Joyful New Year!
© Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Adventist Health Ministry,
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, USA.
Books
1) Ornish, D. (2007) The Spectrum: A Scientifically Proven Program to Feel Better, Live Longer, Lose Weight, and Gain Health. Ballantine Books, New York, 386 pp.
2) Barnard, N. (2007) Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes without Drugs. Random House, New York, 466 pp.
3) Hyman, M. (2009) The UltraMind Solution. Scribner, New York, 447 pp.
4) Fuhrman, J. (2003) Eat to Live: The Revolutionary Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss. Little, Brown and Co., New York, 292 pp.
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