The Way I See It: Unity

uni·ty

noun\ˈyü-nə-tē\

Definition of UNITY

1

a : the quality or state of not being multiple : oneness

2

a : a condition of harmony : accordb : continuity without deviation or change 

3

a : the quality or state of being made one : unification

4

: a totality of related parts : an entity that is a complex or systematic whole

John 17: Jesus' prayer - that there would be unity among his disciples; that they will be 'one' and united with each other - just as the Father is in Jesus, and Jesus is in the Father. 

This is a complete unity - there is no separation as they are one with each other; 

they do not deviate from one another; God never changes. 

Ephesians 4: Unity in the Body of Christ - always be humble, gentle and patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults. Stay united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with one love and peace. There is one body and one Spirit.

There is one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one Faith, one baptism, 

one God & Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. Eph. 4:4-5

Christ is the head of his body; the church. Christ makes the whole body fit together perfectly & each part does its own special work... so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Eph. 4:15-16




Romans 10:9: If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.


As believers, we have an enlightened freedom in Christ, but some will have convictions at times during their walk. But as Paul tells us in Romans 14 - we are to accept all believers, even those weaker in their faith, and not argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. We are told to be tolerant of believers who have different practices than us. He feels that people on both sides of an issue can be genuine believers and he does not think the issues that are fought over are essential to the faith. 

If a believer is following Christ, making Him the Lord of their lives, and honoring Him in what they do - then who are we to argue with, judge or condemn them?

Romans 14:17-19: the Kingdom of God is[...] of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.


The purpose of the Church (the body of Christ) to teach & make disciples of believers, so that they can go out and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Look at all of the denominational splits today... the Church (body of Christ) has been spending to much time arguing with each other over who is right and who is wrong. 

If there is disunity, intolerance and fighting among believers, the Church's testimony is not convincing to the world. 

God is calling His church; He is calling Christ's bride. Set aside our differences; set aside those things that are not worth arguing over. Stand up for our Savior (and our Savior alone!). Rise up together, united, as one body in Christ. Join hands with each other and proclaim Christ as loud as we can to all of the nations!


Matthew 28:19: Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.


Mark 16:15: And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 

God is calling us, Church. Can you hear? 

Not all who have ears hear...

He is calling; can you hear? Will you say "yes" to Him? 

Will you set aside your differences with other believers, and stand up & proclaim Christ, and Christ alone?

Some of the Most Nutrient Dense Foods

Nutrient density is a measure of the amount of nutrients a food contains in comparison to the number of calories. A food is more nutrient dense when the level of nutrients is high in relationship to the number of calories that food contains. By eating these nutrient dense foods, you get all the essential nutrients that you need for excellent health, including vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, fiber and more for the least number of calories. 


These nutrient dense foods help protect the body against illness and disease, are also either low in fat or a source of healthy fats; high in protein, which aids in muscle growth and repair; and high in fiber, which maintains normal digestive functions.

Salmon

Salmon is considered a super food because it is high in protein, a good source of iron, low in saturated fats and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for a healthy heart and cardiovascular functioning. The American Heart Association recommends consuming fatty fish such as salmon twice a week. A typical 3-oz. serving of Atlantic salmon has 175 calories, 10 g of fat, 0 sugars and 19 g of protein.

Eggs

Eggs are a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including choline, which aids in brain development and memory. They are also high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and contain healthy fats. The yolk contains much of the fat and is also a source of iron. A typical egg has 75 calories, 6 g of protein, no carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. 

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants, which play a role in the prevention of heart disease and cancer. They are also a source of vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron, potassium and vitamins C and E. A typical large sweet potato has 162 calories, no fat and 6 g of fiber.

Quinoa

Quinoa is a grain alternative to refined, processed breads such as white or wheat bread. It is gluten-free and thus appropriate for people with food allergies or intolerances. Quinoa has more protein than other grains, and is a source of iron, riboflavin and magnesium. Just 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa has 5 g of protein, 5 g of fat and 5 g of dietary fiber.

Beans

Beans are high in dietary fiber and protein, but low in fat. The fiber in beans helps to keep blood sugar levels steady, keep cravings down and lower overall calorie consumption. Include a variety of dry beans or low-sodium canned beans in your diet, including navy, black, red, pinto and kidney beans. A typical 1-cup serving of boiled black beans has only 1 g of fat, 15 g of fiber and 15 g of protein.

Blueberries

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants which help fight free radicals that contribute to illnesses such as cancer. Such antioxidants may also prevent cataracts, glaucoma, heart disease and ulcers. Blueberries are low in calories, have no fat and are low in sugar compared to other fruits such as melons. A 1-cup serving of blueberries has only 84 calories, no fat and 4 g of dietary fiber.

Walnuts

Walnuts are considered a super-food due to their many health benefits including protection against cancer and heart disease, maintaining cognitive function, and providing protection against inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis. These nuts are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered "good" fats. A 1/4-cup serving of walnuts alone provide 90 percent of the daily quota of omega-3s recommended.

Spinach

Spinach is a rich source of vitamin C, calcium and antioxidants that aid in the prevention of disease. It also contains carotenids, which may assist in preventing macular degeneration, poor eyesight that may lead to blindness. Spinach also contains nearly 200 percent of the daily value required of vitamin K, which helps in reducing bone loss.

Oats

Oats are low in fat, and high in dietary fiber which assists in healthy digestion and waste elimination. Heart-healthy oats help keep blood glucose levels even thanks to their low-sugar and high-fiber content. This makes them a healthy grain alternative for diabetics or people who are trying to lose weight. A 100 g serving of raw oats has only 1 g of saturated fat, 11 g of dietary fiber and 17 g of protein.

Joel Fuhrman, M.D., author of Eat for Health, also created rankings of foods according the nutrients they pack - vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc. The ANDI ranking system he created stands for “Aggregate Nutrient Density Index” and ranks a food’s nutrient density on a scale from 1 to 1,000.

The ANDI scores are calculated by evaluating an extensive range of micronutrients, including vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidant capacities, and by dividing the nutrient level of a food by its caloric content. The motivation behind creating this index was to emphasize the importance of eating foods that are rich in nutrients on a per calorie basis.

For example, kale - a dark leafy green - scores 1,000 while soda scores 1.

As provided by Whole Foods, here are the top 10 most nutrient-dense green vegetables and their respective ANDI scores: 

1. Mustard/Turnip/Collard Greens – 1000

2. Kale - 1000

3. Watercress – 1000

4. Bok Choy/Baby Bok Choy – 824

5. Spinach – 739

6. Broccoli Rabe – 715

7. Chinese/Napa Cabbage – 704

8. Brussels Sprouts – 672

9. Swiss Chard - 670

10. Arugula - 559

References

The Superfoods Rx Diet: Lose Weight with the Power of SuperNutrients; Wendy Bazilian, Steven Pratt and Kathy Matthews; 2007

101 Foods That Could Save Your Life; David Grotto; 2007

Lumberjackie Soup

Ingredients:
7-½ cups rutabaga
6 cups carrots1 ½ cups celery
1 ½ cups mushrooms
6 cups of fresh spinach
2 cups of cooked chickpeas (roast them for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees)
5 teaspoons of garlic powder
6 teaspoons of black pepper
1 cup of organic Dijon mustard
3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
3 teaspoons sea salt
2 low-sodium vegetable bullion cubes
18 cups water

Directions: 

Roughly chop rutabaga, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Place vegetables in slow cooker with water, precooked chickpeas, garlic powder, black pepper, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and vegetable bullion cubes. Cook in Slow Cooker for approximately 6 hours (or until rutabaga and carrots are soft).

Finish by adding in fresh spinach, allow to cook down, and stir to incorporate into soup.

This recipe yields approx 21 cups (great for freezing and reheating or for feeding a crowd).

Ways to drink more water!

It has been suggested that the obesity epidemic may in part be a dehydration crisis: we’re thirsty, but we think we’re hungry, so instead of drinking water, we eat more food. There certainly could be something to this theory, because most Americans not only don’t drink enough water but dehydrate themselves with caffeine and alcohol and by flying in planes, baking in saunas, and playing weekend warrior without replenishing lost fluids.

Drinking ample water can be a great friend to long-term weight loss because it assuages false hunger; it fulfills the brain’s need for water, which can mistake for a desire for sugar; and it makes us look and feel better, so taking care of ourselves proceeds more naturally.

The suggestion to drink plenty of water, though, isn’t just an idle “should” made up by some ogre who doesn’t want you to enjoy life. Every chemical reaction that takes nutrients and makes them into energy requires a water molecule. Some people are able to lose weight simply by drinking more water, because that alone ramps up those chemical reactions so the entire system works more efficiently.

Some real-life ways to drink more water include:

• Keep pitchers of water with slices lemon in your fridge and on your desk. You’ll see it, so you’ll drink it, and the lemon makes it taste like something.

• Ease yourself off colors and sweetened sodas with flavored sparkling water. Sometimes just having that little bit of fizz makes the transition easier for a confirmed soda drinker.

• Carry a half-liter bottle of water with you wherever you go. If you have a bottle of water with you, you’re less likely to pick up a can of soda. Buy them by the six pack if that’s what it takes; otherwise, refill the bottle from your own pure water source at home.

• Start choosing water instead of other beverages until it becomes a habit. Fancy restaurants will bring you a chilled bottle of San Pellegrino as if it were fine champage, and street vendors, quickie marts, and most movie theaters now sell water, too. (If you’re offended by the idea of paying for water, remember that you’d be paying for the Pepsi or iced latté anyway, and water is something you really need.)

• When someone asks if you’d like a drink, request water. And when someone asks if you’d like water, say yes.

• In winter, sip warm water, with lemon or on its own. Herbal teas like licorice, hibiscus, and chamomile can count as water, too. Look for lovely blends at your supermarket or natural foods store, and order them at restaurants when the server asks if you want coffee after dinner.

As one who formerly avoided plain, ordinary water (maybe I thought it would give me - heaven forbid - a plain, ordinary life), I can tell you that once you start drinking it, you’ll start liking it. It’s like recovering the ability to enjoy strawberries when you thought they needed shortcake, or apples when they’re not in pie. Pure and simple has its own appeal.

Excerpted from Fit from Within by Victoria Moran. Victoria Moran is a life coach and the author of several bestselling books, including The Love-Powered Diet,Creating a Charmed Life, and others. Visit her at VictoriaMoran.com.

Chicks!

On Monday, we became official chicken owners! We have 6 chicks total; two of each: Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorps & Ameraucanas.

Here's a pic of one of our Buff Orpingtons (named Ms. Patton) with our dog, Yukon.

Red, White & Blue(berry) Smoothie

Ingredients

6 oz. organic vanilla yogurt (or vanilla soy/coconut yogurt)

4 ripe strawberries, stemmed & sliced

½ cup blueberries

1 tablespoon oat bran (optional)

4 oz. cranberry juice (real cranberry juice, not sugar added kind)

1 teaspoon honey

1 tablespoon lime juice 

½ cup crushed ice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. 

Serve chilled. 

Recipe courtesy of Trinity School of Natural Health