My Devotional – Don’t Lose Control

The word “anger” is just one letter short of the word “danger.” When you lose control you risk losing other thing as well, like the respect of others or the chance to find a constructive solution. Anger toward human suffering in not only appropriate, it’s the catalyst for change. Paul writes, “Be angry…but…don’t stay angry” (Eph 4:26 TM).

The Chinese have a saying: “Anger is the wind that blows out the light of the mind.”

So:

1. Before you react, take a walk. It burns off excess adrenaline and it’s more effective than stewing. It also helps you to think more clearly and handle things in a way you won’t regret. “A quick-tempered man does foolish things” (Pr 14:17 NIV).

2. Recognize the things you can’t control. You can’t control other people’s attitudes and actions, or unforeseen events such as cancelled flights and traffic jams. “What should I do?” you ask. Count your blessings, particularly the fact that you have God, salvation, your health, your family, your job and a car to get to it, etc.

3. Be careful where you vent. It’s one thing to be angry, it’s another to “sound off” at the wrong time. “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards” (Pr 29:11). It’s okay to share your feelings with those you trust and who are not the targets of your anger. But be careful, your words can come back to bite you!

4. Keep you distance from angry people. The Bible says, “Don’t hang out with angry people” (Pr 22:24 TM). Anger, like joy and gratitude, is contagious, so keep your distance.

I hope this devotional message is inspirational to you.

SuperFoods That Power You Up

16 tasty ways you may improve memory, lower blood pressure, even boost the immune system!

COFFEE
– There’s more than caffeine in your morning cup of coffee. It’s loaded
with antioxidants, which can protect against cell damage and reduce your
risk of chronic disease, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

THYME
– Long known for its ability to fight bacteria, thyme—in tincture form—was recently found to be as effective as prescription creams in treating acne.

WILD SALMON – Chock-full of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, wild salmon can be a powerful ally in the fight against premature aging. New research shows that a diet abundant in omega-3s can help preserve small bits of DNA on the ends of cells, called telomeres. Shorter telomeres have been linked to early aging and even premature death.

KALE – Rich in vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting, kale also contains lutein, a nutrient that reduces the risk of cataracts and other eye disorders. One serving of cooked kale has nearly triple the amount of lutein that a serving of raw spinach has.

AVOCADOS
– Once reviled for their high fat content (a medium avocado has 22 grams of fat), avocados have regained favor as a good source of glutathione, an antioxidant that improves overall hormone function.

BASIL/MINT
– Used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine to aid digestion and diminish inflammation, basil and mint (a basil relative) are also strong sources of luteolin, which may boost the immune system.

OLIVES/OLIVE
OIL – Key ingredients in the Mediterranean diet, olives and olive oil are known to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. A study from the American Academy of Neurology found that olive oil may reduce the risk of stroke by up to 41 percent.

WALNUTS – Ounce for ounce, walnuts have almost twice as many antioxidants as any other nut. Plus, they contain high levels of vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, which enhance heart health.

GREEN TEA – Abundant in catechins, a type of antioxidant known to protect cells, green tea may also reduce the risk of certain cancers, particularly those of the stomach and esophagus.

SWEET
POTATOES – With their generous helpings of vitamin B6 and potassium, sweet potatoes can help protect the immune system and regulate blood pressure. When eaten with the skins, they have more fiber than a cup of oatmeal.

DARK CHOCOLATE – Rich in flavonoids, dark chocolate can aid in decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In fact, the British journal BMJ reports that daily consumption of chocolate with at least 60 percent cocoa may reduce heart attacks and strokes in high-risk individuals.

ASPARAGUS – A natural diuretic, asparagus is high in potassium and vitamin B12, important for cell repair and maintenance. New research has also shown that B12 can boost the auditory system: People with low levels have a 39 percent increased risk of hearing loss.

POMEGRANATES
– With high levels of antioxidants, pomegranates can help keep the cardiovascular system healthy. Case in point: According to a 2011 British study, drinking a 17-ounce glass of pomegranate juice every day lowered blood pressure.

GARLIC – Sulfur compounds in garlic give this herb both its potent smell and its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. When garlic is crushed, it releases allicin, which wards off heart attacks and strokes.

YOGURT – Known for restoring balance to the gastrointestinal tract, yogurt with live cultures may improve heart health. One study found that participants were 31 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure if they ate just 6 ounces of
yogurt every three days.

BLUEBERRIES – Loaded with antioxidants, blueberries rank among the top disease-fighting foods. Among recent findings: A diet high in blueberries may reduce a woman’s risk of heart attack by 33 percent and stave off memory loss by several years.

PEPITAS – Put some pep in your step with our raw pepitas! These tasty pumpkin seeds pack an irresistible crunch along with a major health punch. High in protein and healthy fats, pepitas are a good-for-you, satisfying snack. Toss them in salads, mix them in trail mix, or add them to your favorite recipes for a boost of nutrition. You’ll agree that their delicious nutty flavor is simply delightful.

To view the full chart, click here. Happy Eating!

Exercise, Not Puzzles, May Protect Aging Brain

If you want to protect your brain against the effects of aging, a brisk daily walk may do more for you than brain teaser puzzles or social activities, a new study finds.

Researchers with the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, studying nearly 700 people in their early 70s, found that those who were most physically active had less brain shrinkage than those who got less exercise. At the same time, social and intellectually challenging activities, like going to the museum, learning a new language or visiting friends, seemed to have no protective effect on brain changes.

“Those who took more exercise had less brain atrophy, less damage to the wiring of the brain, and greater volumes of grey matter, which are the ‘thinking’ cells. We did not find any associations between being more socially or intellectually engaged and brain health,” says study author Alan Gow, a senior research fellow at the University of Edinburgh.

The research, published in the journal Neurology, is part of a long-term study on aging that involves a group of participants born in 1936. Those involved in this study were given brain MRI scans at age 73. They also filled out questionnaires about their physical activity, ranking it on a six-point scale from ” moving only in connection with necessary (household) chores” to “keep fit/heavy exercise or competitive sport several times per week” and rated how often they participated in 15 different leisure activities.

While researchers wrote that exercise seemed to protect against brain shrinkage, they added that it’s still unclear exactly how. Is exercise really protective, or is that those experiencing cognitive decline are less likely to exercise? While Gow stops short of recommending exactly how much exercise is best for brain health, Paul Thompson, professor of neurology at UCLA’s School of Medicine, says any exercise increases the oxygen level of blood, and that may keep brain tissues healthier. “It’s not necessary to run or even lift weights. Walking is just as effective. The bulk of the evidence is really just calories burned.”

But don’t throw out those brainteaser puzzles yet, says Thompson. They may still have a positive effect on the brain — just one that couldn’t be measured by the type of scans the Scottish researchers used.

My Devotional – Sound Thinking

The Bible says, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love an of a sound mind.” In order to improve your life you must do two things:

(1). Your thought processes. Gordon MacDonald says: “People who are out of shape mentally fall victim to ideas and systems that are destructive to the human spirit. They’ve not been taught how to think, nor have they set themselves to the life-long pursuit of the growth of the mind, so they grow dependent upon the thoughts and opinions of others rather than deal with ideas and issues. They reduce themselves to lives filled with rules, regulations and programs.” The moment you think you know it all, you’ve merely stopped thinking.

(2). Your expectations. The story’s told of a man who went to a fortuneteller. She said to him, “You’ll be poor and miserable until you’re fifty.” The man asked her, “What will happen then?” She replied, “Then you’ll get used to it.”

Be honest: how many successful people do you know who are apathetic and negative? None! Faith produces excitement, commitment, energy – characteristics that help you achieve success. If you’d like to possess these qualities then raise your expectation level and bring it into alignment with God’s promises.
“Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mk 11:24 NKJV).

Do you want to succeed where you’ve failed before? To become the person you always hoped to be? Don’t start by changing your actions, start by changing your mind. Renew it daily with God’s Word. Nothing else you do will have as great an impact.