Eating Like Jesus: 8 Healthy Foods Of His Time (Part 1)

Coming on the heels of Easter, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about foods that Jesus may have eaten and the potential health benefits of these foods. In todays installment, we will talk about the first four foods and then cover the next four foods in the next segment. 

Although there are only a very few examples of what Jesus actually ate, we can make some generalizations based on archeological findings and also by looking at today’s consumption of traditional foods in the Middle East. In many areas of the Middle East, people still eat the same foods that were eaten thousands of years ago. 

1. Pomegranates 

These are high in a very potent anti-oxidant called “Peroxidase” (per-ox-ee-day-ce). The health benefits of this enzyme are amazing. It protects your body from the effects of the break-down of cholesterol. Experts believe that regular consumption of this fruit can have major health benefits to the heart, breast health, prostate health, and skin health. This is why pomegranates are called “super fruits”. Additionally, a single pomegranate contains 50% of your daily allowance of fiber and Vitamin C. 

2. Fish 

There are several examples of this important staple in the diet of the people during Jesus’ day, and there are even more examples of the occupation of fishing in the Bible as well. The health benefits of fish are well known. The high content of Omega 3 Fatty Acids make them the ideal food for good heart health. Fatty fish that have been shown to have health benefits are Herring, Mackerel, Sardines, Lake Trout, & Salmon 

3. Honey 

Honey has long been recognized for its anti-microbial benefits for healing cuts and other wounds. Even more recent research has shown that the phytonutrients in honey may have cancer-fighting ability. Other researchers also believe that honey can promote healthy balance of cholesterol & blood sugar as well as promote healthy digestive tract health. 

4. Olive Oil & Olives 

Since the times of ancient Egypt, olives and olive oil have been a traditional staple food. Olives are exceptionally high in fiber and are known to promote heart health by helping maintain healthy cholesterol levels and controlling inflammation. This inflammatory effect reaches further than the blood vessels; most people notice improved joint mobility and decrease of pain while using olive oil. Lastly, it has shown benefits of promoting healthy blood sugar levels as well. 

Part 2 Is Coming Later This Week…….. Stay Tuned 

To Your Health, 

Brian Brown

John 20 43 & 44

In the passages of John, we see the Apostle Peter arriving at the scene of an empty tomb, hewed from the rock of a "BORROWED" tomb. I shared yesterday that the reason it was "borrowed" was that God already knew that he would not need it for long. Is that not amazing? God, had from prior to the foundations of the earth, already devised a plan whereby his only Son would be sent to die on a cross, but would only taste death for 3 days and then be gloriously raised from the grave. To this reality do we owe the gratitude for a promise that is forever true. That promise, is the foundation on which every Christian builds his/her faith. To know that Jesus had the grace and ability to bear our sins upon the cross and then to realize that he further threw aside the power of sin and the death as he burst forth from the grave clothes that day is absolutely amazing. 

With that point made, I feel that Jesus was again confirming to us that "It is Finished"! You see, on the cross, he said "It is Finished", but what he was referring to was that every sin ever committed and ever to be committed was laid upon his shoulders. This picture was so gruesome that even the Heavenly Father had to turn his gaze away from the Son as he bore the brunt of our wrongdoings. But then Jesus, according to Colossians, took those sins and nailed them to the cross and thus made a public spectacle out of Satan himself. In other words, Satan became an embarrassment to the Universe as Jesus turned and took all that Satan did and declared again his eternal judgement to come. 

There is actually more to the tomb scene that deserves attention also. The fact that those grave clothes lay wadded up to the side is amazing, but what is even more amazing is that the relevance of the "napkin" that lay folded at the place where Jesus head once lay. You see, culturally speaking, the folded napkin signified the same thing that it would have signified in those days in Jewish Culture. Let me explain: If a guest were to eat at a home and at some point in the dining experience have to leave or get satisfied with his meal, he would wad the napkin up and thus signify his readiness to be done. In other words, "I am finished". But this is not what happened in the tomb that day. In fact, Jesus did just the opposite. He took the napkin and the neatly folded it leaving it where the inquiring disciples were sure to notice. You see the folded napkin, culturally speaking, meant that the person who sat at the meal of the host, should he need to be excused for any reason, would then fold the napkin and thus signify to the host, "I AM NOT FINISHED". WOW-Did you just see that? Jesus was proclaiming the message here that he was indeed not finished. In fact, though his earthly ministry was ending, I believe he was pointing to the fulfillment of the coming ministry through the Holy Spirit and the eventual birth of the Church. So, in closing, Jesus is not only not done, but he is just beginning in many of our lives and our ministries. I choose to believe that indeed he is not finished, but that "he who began a good work in me is able to complet that work". I am thankful today that through the cross we have the forgiveness of sins and through HIS resurrection we have the promise of new life and life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

--David B. Hughes

Fresh Manna Monday

2 Chronicles 13: 1-7 

In the passages above is written a remarkable recount of David’s leadership and heart as he pursued what really mattered in life. In summary, the Ark of God or the presence of God had taken a “backseat” under the leadership of King Saul, David’s predecessor. David knew that what the nation needed was God back in their midst. I really like the way he chose to involve everyone in the decision making. In verses 1 and 2 he met with his commanders and I believe laid out the plan and vision he had for reaching the God-inspired goal he had been given. I believe David had to encourage those of his leadership under him to take ownership in the “task at hand”. I envision David as he enthusiastically and with great energy laid out the plan for his nation as he shared with his immediate leadership. David knew that he needed everyone “on board” if his strategy was to be met with the least resistance from the people. 

After David was successful with encouraging the leaders of Israel, he then went to the people with his plan and once again laid out God’s strategy for the nation. The people emphatically rallied behind David and the leadership and moved forward with the plan to pursue God by reclaiming the Ark of God. The reason that I feel that this is such a great example of Leadership is that David understood the need to communicate clearly and effectively what he knew was God’s heart and direction. Effective communication is such an essential part of being the leaders that God intended for us to be. You may be thinking, “I am not a leader”, but the fact is we are all leaders. If we are parents, we are leaders. If we are aunts or uncles, or even brothers or sisters, we are leaders. In fact, a recognized position does not make us a leader, but if we are a person who gives advice or has influence on even one person then we are leaders. So, I am not sure about you, but this makes me realize that when it comes to my influence on others then I need to make sure I am communicating effectively to ensure that what is really important in life is heard by all who may be following.

Fresh Manna Mondays

Introducing "Fresh Manna" a weekly devotion by David Hughes, APRN-BC. 

Daniel 1:8-16

When I pondered on the HCG diet and the commitment and resolve it takes to achieve diet and lifestyle change goals, I immediately thought of a great story in the Book of Daniel of the Old Testament. 

The Book of Daniel is a great story about a young man, Daniel, who chose not to eat certain foods because of his realization and conviction that the higher calorie, higher fat content of the “palace foods” were not the choices that were BEST for him at the time of his palace training. This decision, like our own decisions to improve our lifestyle through better eating and lifestyle change was met with some resistance. In fact, the king’s trainer feared for his own life that Daniel would become sick from eating a diet of vegetables and water, and that he, in turn, would be beheaded. 

So, as you can see,” Diet” was a hot topic, even 5,000 years ago. As with anything in life that is worth doing, it starts with an inner resolve and a desire to make the right choices. Our food choices today are actually dictating our tomorrow in so many ways beyond just our weight. As a Nation, we are the most obese in the world, and here in Tennessee, we live in the center of the “Heart Attack and Stroke Belt” of the U.S. It doesn’t have to remain that way. We can be driven by the culture, or we can be driven to change the culture. 

If you don’t happen to know the end of Daniel’s story, he made the right choices with the vegetables and water. He was healthier, more mentally sharp, stronger, and more fit than his peers who ate and trained on the palace foods. The King was so impressed that Daniel’s Diet became “THE DIET” for the training recruits. Daniel became an agent of change in his God-given circle of influence. I personally feel that Matrix Wellness Solutions is called to this endeavor. Please join us in changing our corner of the world.

David B. Hughes, Nurse Practitioner and Co-Owner