Day 5 - Throw out the Soda!

Why Day 5 and not Day 6 you may ask? Yesterday was Sunday and since Sundays celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the six Sundays that occur during Lent are not counted as part of the 40 days of Lent.  It is on Sundays that we reflect and meditate on the joy and happiness of the resurrection, however this does not mean that we stray from renewing our body.

It's time to start taking this 40 day renewal seriously. You may have started great last week and let this weekend slip away from you, or you've just gone into these 40 days casually since the beginning.  Remember your BIG WHY and start to take action in order to get results! Don't fret about the past but work towards a better tomorrow. A big change you need to make immediately is with your diet. More will be discussed this Wednesday at 6:00PM at Christ Lutheran about this topic and SO much more. But today is a great day to start working on what you are putting inside your body throughout the day.

-------------------------------------

Rule #1: Get rid of ALL soda, diet included

Regular soda contains extremely high amounts of refined sugar, whether it is cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Sugar causes severe inflammation in your arteries and cells and it travels through your body. At the root cause of almost any symptom or disease, you will find inflammation. Asthma, allergies, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel, Crohn's, heart disease, and numerous cancers all have an inflammatory component.

More and more research is showing the negative affects of drinking soda on a regular basis.

• Research published in the Journal of the American Society Nephrology showed that people who consume soda regularly had a greatly increased risk of high blood pressure.  The risk was 77% percent higher in those consuming fructose-sweetened drinks on a daily basis. (J Am Soc Nephrol 21: 2010. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2009)

 Diet soda is just as dangerous (if not more) than regular soda. Filled with harmful artificial sweeteners this type of soda is marketed as a healthier option, however recent research is showing otherwise:

• Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine recently discovered that diet soda may increase the risk for stroke, heart attack and brain hemorrhage. (Gandey,A. Diet soda may heighten risk for vascular events. Medscape Medical News. Feb 9, 2011)

There is plenty of research out there about the risks of drinking regular and diet soda. I recommend that you take some time and look into it some more. 

And if you have already given up soda or have never started, get rid of the fruit juice! Fruit juices have high concentrations of sugar hidden in them. Not only from added sugar but from the fruit itself. Note to self: God intended us to eat one orange at a time, pulp and all. Not take 16 oranges, squeeze only the juices together and drink.

At class this Wednesday at 6:00PM you will learn about the 3 Dangers in our diet and how to eat "Food by God" vs. "Food by man". SEE YOU THERE!  


-------------------------------


The Purpose Driven Life - Finding Your Purpose
CHAPTER 5 - SEEING LIFE FROM GOD'S VIEW
The way you see your life shapes your life. How you define life determines your destiny. Your perspective will influence how you invest your time, spend you money, use your talents, and value your relationships. The Bible offers three metaphors that teach us God's view on life:

• Life is a test
• Life is a trust
• Life is a temporary assignment

 Point to Ponder: Life is a test and a trust. 
Verse to Remember: "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones." Luke 16:10a

Questions to Consider: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?