Friday, September 27, 2013

The Colon - Our Sewer System

Ever have a backed up sewer? Not a pleasant task to clean that up. Our body has a sewer system and all sewer systems need maintenance. The condition of your colon has a lot to do with your health. The colon is the last organ in the digestive system.
 
Generally the colon is about six feet in length and two inches in diameter There are three parts to the colon (See Diagram Below); The Ascending colon, the transverse colon and the descending colon.

Normal Colon & Small Intestine - This is a picture of your large and small intestine in its “normal” state. The large and small intestines are usually about 23 to 26 feet long.
Diseased Colon - This very diseased, twisted, looped, broken and necrotic (death of tissue) type colon is obviously not the picture of health. Which colon do you want to reside in your body?

THE FUNCTION OF THE COLON

The function of the first half of the colon is to reduce the amount of matter by absorbing a part of the water and needed chemicals. This reduces the amount of material in the colon by more than half. The function of the last half of the colon is to transmit and dispose of the waste from the body.

Because the colon has so much waste to dispose of, under normal conditions, it must discharge its contents at least 2 to 3 times a day for health function. Another rule of thumb would be to dispose after each meal. Generally, a meal will leave the stomach and reach the lower part of the small intestine in four to five hours. When lunch is eaten, the vigorous action of the alimentary canal pushes the breakfast into the middle part of the colon. We promote walking after your meals (not a vigorous walk, but a gentle stroll) and this is to get the peristaltic waves pushing your matter to the lower colon for elimination. In a normally functioning colon all matter should be swept clean of the body in 24 hours. Any transit time longer than that would be considered constipation.

Our colons must be kept clean so there is no time for putrefaction to take place. If the colon is not clean the food residue that is kept in the colon over the 24 hour period, absorbs into the blood. As God would have it, He put in other elimination organs to try to do the work that the colon did not do. The liver, lungs, kidneys and skin must then try to eliminate this build up of waste material. This excess burden on these organs makes them overwork because they have to do their normal job and now have to take on extra tasks. This excess strain makes body parts wear out faster and greatly hinders the functions they have to perform. Constipation causes about two million doctor visits a year.

The Hallelujah Lifestyle promotes NO meat or animal products. When meat is a part of your diet the colon is loaded with undigested remnants of flesh foods which flood the system with poisons which will eventually start a disease process in the body. Before that happens we have many warning signs or symptoms:

Distended Stomach, Foul breathe, Gas, Coated tongue, Indigestion, Constant fatigue, Absent-mindedness, Headaches, Insomnia, Premature aging and Digestive issues can all indicate that your “Sewer System” needs attention. Following is an example of a “severe” case of improper colon function or lack of”

This patient was complaining of constipation, along with abdominal pain and shortness of breath. He had not had a bowel movement for one month. His abdomen was extremely distended and without bowel sounds. Part of his colon was removed – a normal colon measurement would be about two inches in diameter. As shown in the picture above, this man’s colon had expanded to a full man’s hand width. This colon was severely impacted, filled with mucus, parasites, fecal matter, hardened flesh foods and was severely dehydrated.

It is estimated that the average person will have 5 – 15 pounds (2 – 7 kilograms) of waste matter impacted on the colon wall, built up over years of eating heavy foods which require mucus secretion to protect the stomach and colon, resulting in an increase of toxins though parasites. Dirty colons attract “critters” to come clean up your mess!

What can we do to help prevent colon problems from occurring?
  • Water - Drink ½ of your body weight in ounces everyday – water is the hydrating mechanism to keep things flushed of toxins and clean – Think of your body parts as a sponge. A sponge that has moisture in it moves freely and works well but a dehydrated, parched sponge (or organ) cannot function properly as it has lost its elasticity and pliability. Test your hand skin – are you drinking enough water?
  • Fiber - Eat a high fiber diet – especially raw fruits and vegetables – the fiber will help to brush your colon clean. We promote a 85% raw food diet. Your anatomy is made up of live organisms with an amazing degree of resilience, elasticity and buoyancy and must be revitalized with living nutrients and elements. The roughage you eat will broom clean your colon.
  • Juicing – Juicing supplies the nutrients to the cellular level and although fiber-less helps to hydrate the body and helps to eliminate constipation
  • Manage Stress levels – Blood vessels constrict and blood fats increase when we are stressed. One of the biggest problems is that digestion stops! More nutrients are used up and less wastes is moved. Emotional disturbances interrupt your digestive system from working properly.
  • Fresh Air – A lack of fresh air and oxygen retards digestion
  • Exercise – Helps digestion and promotes intestinal activity and increases oxygen levels in the body
  • CHEW, CHEW, CHEW – Chewing your food and mixing it with your digestive juices in your mouth will provide your colon and body with the needed enzymes to break the food down better – thus less work for the colon to do. Undigested food can be very toxic to the body and perceived as foreign invaders making the immune system work harder.

What your BM should NOT look like
  • Taking digestive enzymes and Propbiotics especially when eating cooked food, can definitely aid in digesting your foods
  • A good fiber product (we use Fiber Cleanse) used in the beginning of your lifestyle change for about 2-3 months can help safely clean out your colon. Then switch to ground flax seed to maintain colon health. One or two tablespoons in water about 20 minutes prior to each meal will help put the needed fiber in your digestive system.
  • Avoid caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic – which means it dehydrates your body and colon
Our colon resides in the core of our body and it has a very important function. It’s a cleansing organ and does have needs and requirements for proper functionality. The quality of the food you present to your digestive system will either rebuild your body or increase the degeneration of your body. Considering we only have one body to use while here on earth, we think it is very important to pay attention to the warning signs.

We need to look at the symptoms above as warnings; warnings to take better care of what we are putting into our temples. The Lord wants us to take care of our temples – let’s do everything we can do to have him reside in a healthy, clean environment that is functioning well. A lot of times people just do not associate their ills with their food intake. We go to the doctors wanting to know why we are sick and we want the quick fix. However, once we start taking accountability for our part in our sickness, we are closer to our healing.

Many times we can repair our sewage backup damage depending on the severity of the leak or ill running colon. We want to take care to prevent microbial development in our gut. If left unrecognized or untreated it can cause a serious health problem. If your toilet backed up into your home, just think of the health hazard that would create. Now, can you imagine your sewer system backing up into your body or bloodstream? We must take the time to understand how our body works so we can take measures to clean our internal sewer system.

The untouched subject – More than you want to know but SHOULD KNOW

No one wants to talk about their eliminations! It’s actually quite funny to watch people’s expressions when the subject is brought up. But here at the Plant City Hallelujah Acres Lifestyle Center we discuss at length (literally) just what kind bowel movements we should have. Hold onto your toilet paper – here we go:
  • You should be having 2-3 bowel movements a day – it is not normal to only have a BM once or twice a week
  • Length – The entire length of your BM should be approximately the size from your finger tips to your elbow (surprised huh?) Usually in 4” to 8” lengths
  • Your BM should have “C” and/or “S” curves in it. Think of it as a chocolate Dairy Queen swirl
  • It should not splatter like an explosion all over the toilet bowl. It should be solid in nature
  • It should not look like a rabbit or parakeet’s droppings – that would suggest constipation
  • It should not have a foul odor
  • Shoot for a floater! Sinking occurs when the body is acidic. Rapid sinking stools can indicate a person is not eating enough fiber
  • If you have trouble eliminating, try a foot stool. Being in this elevated position will allow the body to eliminate more naturally
  • It should be soft and a peanut butter consistency
  • It should be sausage size
  • No straining
  • The color of your BM should be a brown or golden brown. Usually dark colors indicate that your feces has been sitting in the colon too long However, if you are drinking carrot juice, your BM will take on a orange-brown color; beets would cause a red-brown color.
It is our wish and desire that you will take heed to this very important subject. Start eliminating properly and you will not believe how much healthier you will feel and be!
Go for the Blue Ribbon!!!

Sources:
Malkmus, Reverend George. The Hallelujah Diet. Shippensburg; Destiny Image Publishers Inc., 2006
Walker, Dr Norman W. Colon Health: The Key to a Vibrant Life. 1979.
Diseases & Disorders: 2nd Edition. Lippincott Williams& Wilkins, 2005

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Apple Crepes with Apple Walnut Filling and Cinnamon Maple Cream




This dessert may take a little more work to prepare, but it is SO WORTH IT! I don't know anyone who wouldn't love this dessert. The crepe shell is dehydrated and then stuffed with a flavorful apple walnut filling. It is then topped with a delicious maple cream that is to LIVE for! And to top it off, it is completely RAW!

For the Crepes: 

3 cups coconut meat
1½ cup chopped apple
½ to 1 cup filtered water
1 cup golden flaxseed, finely ground (about 1 ½ cup ground)
3 Tbsp agave nectar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp sea salt

In a Vita-Mix or high-speed blender, blend the coconut meat with the apple, adding the water ¼ cup at a time as needed to make it smooth.  You may need to use the tamper (the large black baton-like thing that comes with your Vita-Mix) to push the apple and coconut into the blades.  The mixture should be thick, like custard.

Transfer the coconut mixture to a large mixing bowl and add the ground flax, agave, cinnamon, and salt.  Mix it very thoroughly with a spatula or large spoon.

Divide the batter between three 14-inch Teflex-lined dehydrator trays.  Using an offset spatula, spread to about 1/6- inch thick.  Dehydrate at 115ºF for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.  Flip them over and peel away the Teflex.  Continue dehydrating on the screens only for another hour or two, until the underside is just dry and the crepes are still pliable.

Slide the crepes onto a flat cutting surface.  Using a circle cutter (or you can trace around a small plate with a sharp knife), cut circles approximately 4 inches in diameter.

For the apple walnut filling:

4 cups cubed apple (skins on, about ¼-inch cubes), from about 4 apples
¾ cup coarsely chopped walnuts
¼ cup raisins
3 Tbsp maple syrup
3 Tbsp lemon juice (more or less depending on sweetness of apples)
½ tsp grated lemon zest
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp sea salt

Toss all the filling ingredients in a bowl.  Spread on a Teflex-lined dehydrator tray and dehydrate at 115ºF for 1 to 2 hours, just to soften the apples a bit.

For the maple cream:

½ cup cashews, soaked 2 hours or more
½ cup coconut meat
½ cup maple syrup
2 Tbsp coconut butter
¼ cup filtered water
2 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp sea salt

In a Vita-Mix or high-speed blender, blend all the maple cream ingredients thoroughly.  Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate if not using right away.

For the assembly:

Maple syrup
Fresh mint for garnish (optional)

Fill each of the crepes with the apple walnut filling and fold.  Serve with the maple cream, drizzle with maple syrup, and garnish with fresh mint, if desired.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Power Train of Thought

By Sherry Orcutt

Power Train of ThoughtAs we board the “train of life” we encounter many experiences. There are good times and there are hard times, but a positive attitude will enable us to handle any situation that comes our way. Thinking positively will give us power over our circumstances instead of us allowing our circumstances to have power over us.

As the train leaves the station, we hear “all aboard.” The conductor does not give us instructions on what to do when the train reaches destinations that make us uncomfortable, such as illness. However, our God did leave us a manual on how to live life. The human brain takes eighteen years to grow but a lifetime to mature. We have to constantly fill our mind with good and positive information so that we can have a better influence on our lives. Our thought patterns can change and do change over the years.

When our train pulls into the diagnosis train station, our immediate response is panic, fear, unbelief and uncertainty. It’s really difficult to think positive thoughts at that particular time when the doctors are giving their opinion about why we are ill and telling us all the horrible things we will face. We are all human; there is an adjustment period. The sooner we grab hold of our thought processes and start to understand what God has to say about our health, our wellness and His promises, we can begin the work of looking at our Goliath problem with new eyes.

Training our brain to think only positive thoughts is work, but the benefits to our health are quite rewarding. We are not denying the existence of our problem; we are focusing on what the Word of God states and then allowing God to work in us through faith. Many people feel helpless to change their circumstances, but we “can do all things through Christ that strengthens us.” As we trust God, it is His power that lives in us and He will change that hopeless feeling to victorious achievements. It requires taking God at His Word; asking ourselves, “What is His promise and do I believe that He will do it?” This is a battle of the mind. We must conquer the negative feelings and replace them with the truth of the Word.

A good place to start is The Bible. Let us see what God has to say and promise. As we ponder His words, we need to believe them in the literal sense. Isaiah 46:4 “I am He; I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Jeremiah 30:17 “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds.” Psalm 41:3 “The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.” Think about these words; promises. He will sustain us, He will rescue us, He will restore us, He will heal our wounds, and He will restore us from our bed of illness. Instead of listening to the doom and gloom of man, we should ponder on the miracle of God’s living Word and trust Him with all our heart; He knows what we are going through and Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you.”

All aboard!! Let’s start to change our negative thoughts into positive ones; the ones that God wants us to believe in faith. All God wants from us is belief, faith and trust that He will keep His Word. He does all the rest.