Have you ever heard the saying, “food is love“? For me those words did not ring true – until recently. You see I’ve lived most of my life with food allergies and restrictions, to the point where I began to feel that food was my enemy.

Sometimes I would ask God, “Why did you make it so we have to eat when eating can cause weight problems and sickness?” I had food problems right from birth, and as a young child I missed a lot of school due to stomach aches or an outbreak of hives. At 9 years old I was admitted to the hospital for a week and diagnosed with colitis, and allergies to all dairy products and eggs.

Choosing my battles

My whole life I fought this food enemy, but I had a sneaking suspicion that food was not the real problem. I sometimes wondered if my body was the enemy, but that also seemed a bit far fetched. So I began to search for answers, but first I had to struggle with the lies.

When I was 12 I went on my first diet and lost 20 lbs, but I continued to struggle to keep it off. When I was 14 I decided to adopt a Vegan diet. My biggest problem at this point became the food culture around me. I was constantly persecuted because of what I chose to eat. Doctors and many other people kept pushing me to include some type of beef, chicken or fish in my diet.

Then there was the high carb food pyramid lie, which was actually based on manipulated research findings.* This became my new battle, fighting with the American diet and lifestyle.

Food from other countries

I was drawn to Asian food, it seemed to suit me the best. I lived with people from many different countries in my early 20’s so I began to experience the culture of other kitchens. The availability of alternate food choices and my intuition is probably what saved me from succombing to the American diet and lifestyle. I was also introduced to alternative healing modalities such as Chinese medicine, herbs, food medicine and massage.

I began to learn that there is a world of healing alternatives and food alternatives all around us. But unfortunately, once I started raising children, sending them off to school and exposing them to other families, the American diet and lifestyle started to gain ground in our house. A 20 year struggle ensued with some wins and some losses.

Hope Renewed!

So why are we promoting healthy food on a faith based website? If “food is love” and “God is love” then I think there must be some connection. Physical health and spiritual health are intertwined because the mind and body are integrated, they function as one. When we take care of the body the spirit can thrive as well.

I’ve recently subscribed to a website called FOOD MATTERS TV, and it has renewed my hope and given me new tools to overcome the American diet and lifestyle. You will find documentaries, recipes, and mind and body videos focused on health and wellness. That includes mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical wellness as well as planetary wellness. I hope you’ll check it out for yourself.

Food, Culture & Love – new series

We’re already missing our health blogger Michael Hentrich with his well researched information. In honor of the tradition of health posts that he started on this site, we’re launching a new series called Food, Culture & Love (monthly). We’re inviting all of our readers to participate so we can all learn from each other.

We’d like for you to share your healthy recipes and wellness tips with us. Since the Faith Fusion community is international, this will be a fun opportunity to share something from your home country. It doesn’t have to be fancy and it does not have to be a whole meal. You can send your favorite smoothie recipe, home remedy for a cold or cough, healthy side dish or snack. Don’t forget to let us know why you think it’s healthy!

Here’s how you can participate:

1. email your recipes or tips to cheryl@www.nhfaithfusion.com
2. leave short recipes or tips in a comment below
3. email a photo of a meal or remedy you’ve prepared (with a short description)
4. Be a guest blogger by writing a post about health (email to cheryl@www.nhfaithfusion.com)

Also, check back on Nov. 27th for what to do with your Thanksgiving leftovers! Our first healthy recipe contribution.

* Recent research shows that a plant based low carb diet (including healthy oils) is the healthiest way to eat. Animal products are okay in moderation when prepared properly.