My pumpernickel bread

I never tire of reading about healthy foods and finding new healthy recipes. I can spend hours searching websites for key ingredients to keep stocked in my kitchen and how to use them.

I didn’t always care so much about eating healthy food but when the conviction hit me, it was strong and lasting. I fought the old cravings and weaned myself off of junk food as a teen. Now, if I over indulge in food that’s not good for me, my stomach protests and I soon wish I could scrape it out of me. After a time of eating healthy foods, junk food holds less appeal. I prefer eating the food that gives me the nutrition I need to look and feel my best.

One way I help put healthy food in my family’s bellies is by making our bread. It started with honey wheat bread and has moved to pumpernickel bread. I successfully made my first loaf of pumpernickel bread and am a huge fan! It’s packed full of good stuff and is very yummy. It doesn’t have to be homemade to be healthy, but good health is important to me and I get satisfaction out of making nutritious food for my family.

I believe it is our God-given responsibility to take care of our bodies and I get frustrated when I see people neglecting to do it. Choosing not to exercise and eat nutritious food is neglecting to care for the vessel God gave you to honor Him with. I was thinking about this the other day, and realized that I need to pray for this passion to grow into a burden for people’s spiritual wellbeing as well as physical. Health does not stop with the body, a healthy body can still have a dying soul.

I began to pray that the Lord would help me and Mark develop the spiritual disciplines we need to honor Him, just as He’s helping us develop the discipline to eat right and exercise. I look forward to how the Lord will use this experience to deepen our faith and will share the journey with you all as we go.