Christmas is a very special time of the year when Christians celebrate the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ and the impact that he has on their lives. The Christmas message is one of Glory to God in the Highest, Peace on Earth, and Good Will to All People. We express our love and appreciation of family and friends by giving them gifts and cards, and with good health in mind I have some ideas for gifts that can provide lasting benefits for those special people in our lives, gifts that can promote their health and well-being.
1) A daily devotional book. For those who are spiritually minded, spending time each day in prayer and meditation is a very worthwhile and highly rewarding experience. Quiet time spent in devotion puts daily concerns into perspective and serves to relieve stress. The gift of a daily devotional book according to a person’s faith will lift and inspire, provide spiritual guidance, daily encouragement and peace of mind.
2) Gifts that promote healthy outdoor activities and exercise. These could include walking shoes, suitable clothing, and gardening tools. For the even more energetic, you could consider sports equipment, hiking boots and camping gear. From the point of view of our health and wellbeing, it is very important to spend more time outdoors engaging in regular low-intensity exercise and breathing in fresh air. Gardening and frequent walks are highly recommended.
3) The Zero Water Filtration Pitcher/Dispenser. Available in three different sizes, each container is fitted with an interchangeable filter that uses a patented Ion Exchange System to provide the only filtered water measuring a “000” reading for total dissolved solids. It is not generally known that tap water is required to meet more stringent requirements than bottled water and the addition of the Zero Water Filtration System makes it even purer. Please note that the plastic from which the pitchers and dispenser are made does not contain the hormone disrupter bisphenol A (BPA) so there is no risk that this product will leach into filtered water stored in the containers.
4) The “Nutribullet”. A worthy successor to the “Magic Bullet”, the “Nutribullet” is described as neither a juicer nor a blender but the “World’s First Nutrition Extractor” whose high speed, cyclonic action breaks down plant cell walls, releasing all of the nutrients within. The “Nutribullet” comes with a recipe book together with lots of accessories and is very reasonably priced. I much prefer blending/extraction to juicing, especially in the case of fruit. With juicing, the calories are concentrated and the fiber removed. High speed extraction achieves the opposite result and the “Nutribullet” serves its purpose well. It is quick and easy to use, and simple to clean afterwards. You can watch a demonstration on the “Nutribullet” website at http://www.nutribullet.com/site/watchtheshow
5) A Steamer. Whenever vegetables are to be cooked then it is best to steam or lightly stir-fry them because more of the goodness is retained this way. Boiling is not advisable because water-soluble vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals will leach out from the vegetables and be lost when the water is drained off. A steamer is therefore a very important addition to the healthy household.
6) “The Healthy Home” by Dr. Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz. An excellent book by this father and son team who take the reader on a tour of a typical home where they expose the dangers within. The authors write in a very entertaining style and the narrative is interspersed with illustrations and helpful questionnaires. It is astonishing just how many toxic chemicals we unknowingly encounter in our everyday life and this book contains practical advice on how to reduce our exposure and protect our health.
7) “Super Immunity” by Joel Fuhrman, M.D. An excellent book, which describes in detail the steps we should take to supercharge our immune system and so protect our bodies from diseases ranging from the common cold to cancer. There is no doubt that poor diet and lack of exercise are at the root of so many health problems today. Yet the solution is at hand and Dr. Fuhrman’s latest book not only provides key guidance based on his own experience and an extensive bibliography of published research but also contains menu plans and recipes for very healthy meals.
8) “The Spectrum” by Dean Ornish, M.D. This book is a successor to “Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease” which presented his ground breaking studies on reversing coronary heart disease without drugs or surgery but instead with the adoption of a very low-fat vegetarian diet coupled with a regular exercise program, relaxation techniques and group support. Now, he has followed this work with “The Spectrum” which helps the reader to assess their current health status and then offers a range of dietary and exercise options to improve their health and well-being. The book includes some of the latest information on preventive medicine and there are also some excellent recipes by the celebrated chef Art Smith.
9) “Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes” by Neal D. Barnard, M.D. If you know someone who is suffering from Type 2 diabetes or is pre-diabetic then this would be a wonderful gift for them and one whose recommendations they could discuss with their physician. Tragically, Type 2 diabetes, which used to be called Adult-Onset diabetes, is now also seen in children. It is becoming all too common, largely as a result of the current obesity epidemic. The good news is that Type 2 diabetes can be both prevented and reversed by following the healthy diet and lifestyle described by Dr. Barnard. Recipes are included in the book.
10) “Grain Brain” by David Perlmutter, M.D. Board certified in Neurology and a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, Dr. Perlmutter is uniquely qualified to examine the role of diet in brain health. He makes a powerful case for the involvement of carbohydrates, including whole grains, in dementia, ADHD, epilepsy, anxiety, chronic headaches and depression. Carbohydrates that are particularly rich in sugar or gluten can trigger chronic inflammation, which in turn can progressively destroy brain function. Dr. Perlmutter presents a step-by-step plan with strategies and recipes to promote a healthy brain.
Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
© Dr. Chris Jones,
Adventist Health Ministry,
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, USA.
Books
1) Wentz, M. & Wentz, D. (2011) The Healthy Home. Vanguard Press, New York, 284pp.
2) Fuhrman, J. (2011) Super Immunity. Harper Collins, New York, 278 pp.
3) Ornish, D. (2007) The Spectrum: A Scientifically Proven Program to Feel Better, Live Longer, Lose Weight, and Gain Health. Ballantine Books, New York, 386 pp.
4) Barnard, N. (2007) Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes without Drugs. Random House, New York, 466 pp.
5) Perlmutter, D. (2013) Grain Brain. Little, Brown & Co., New York. 323 pp.
Comments on this entry are closed.