Well put. This photograph was taken by Carlton Reid, and the stencil street art it documents is the work of Peter Drew of Adelaide, Australia.

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This made me start wondering about codependency and the church’s relationship with clergy members. Here’s the definition of codependency from Way 2 Hope, an organization that helps those in codependent relationships:

Codependency is a condition that results in a dysfunctional relationship between the codependent and other people. A codependent is addicted to helping someone. They need to be needed. This addiction is sometimes so strong, the codependent will cause the other person to continue to be needy. This behavior is called enabling. The enabler will purposefully overlook someone abusing a child, will call in sick for someone suffering from addiction, will put roadblocks to prevent their child from becoming independent, or even keep a sick family member from getting the treatment that would make them well. These are behaviors common to codependents. A codependent often suffers from a ‘Messiah Complex’ where he sees problems with everyone and sees himself as the only person who can help. Here is where I need to work…trying to be ‘Mr. Fixit’ for everyone…even those who don’t feel they need anything fixed. A codependent counselor (common) will never think your sessions are done. In fact, they often create issues that weren’t there just so they can continue to feel they’re an important, no, essential part of your life. This is one of the reasons I always spend the first counseling session evaluating the problem and setting up a schedule of sessions to complete the work. If we’re not making progress, I don’t want to become the person you feel you have to take every problem to…it’s too addictive to me. That’s what codependence is…an addiction to being needed.

So how did this codependency develop? Clearly it is because of clergy-members’ addiction to being needed. This addiction is easy for any of us to fall into, but especially for those who are in positions where people come to them for help. But this doesn’t let the so-called “lay people” off the hook, either. They enable the clergy by continuing to look to them as having the answers to all of life’s problems. Thus the clergy maintain codependency among the “laity” by being all too eager to give an answer to any question, even when the answer is not or cannot be known, and the “laity” enable the clergy by remaining ignorant and relying on them for spiritual growth.

This has birthed not a few generations of biblically illiterate believers, returning us to the sacerdotalism that Martin Luther and the Reformers fought so hard to eradicate. Thanks to Sunday School (which, at its inception, was heavily opposed on grounds that it would destroy the father’s role as the spiritual head of his family), we now have codependency between humans rather than independence from man and dependence only upon Christ.

But it is not only clergy and laity who do this. This also happens among many other informal relationships, where those who are recognized as leaders become codependent with their followers/disciples, and home-based fellowships become cult-like in their codependency. Neither institutional nor organic ministry models are exempt.

But simply identifying the problem doesn’t help. What can be done to change this? The first important thing to understand is that codependency is possible for anyone because of mankind’s propensity towards sin, particularly pride and idolatry. Second, we must realize that we have a loving God who is able to set us free from codependent relationships and direct us toward Himself. Third, we must break the cycle. This means that leaders must be willing to admit when they don’t know the answers, and be willing to refer people to other sources for help and knowledge, teaching disciples to feed themselves, not just to wait for the leader’s spoon. Followers must stop enabling the leaders and begin seeking answers and help from other sources, most specifically from Christ Himself via His Word.

By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will enable us in a positive way to break free from the spiritually dangerous cycle of codependency, moving on towards maturity and freedom in Christ.

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I’m not saying that we should only seek negative things, by no means. But I am saying what the Bible is saying, that we should rejoice if we are counted worthy to suffer for His name, and we should praise God amidst all troubles, like Job.

H/T to Heather.

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The day before Thanksgiving, Dan and I decided to make it a priority to go to the gym which he and I had just joined. We participated in their FREE fitness assessment for several reasons. First, from my perspective, I thought that this fitness assessment may help me stay focused and even be accountable to one more person in regards to my personal fitness and overall well-being. I knew in order to be ready for the New Year, I needed to get a handle on the holidays and start early.

During our fitness assessment, we learned about our BMI (Body Mass Index) and ways that we could cut calories.

For me, it all started the year Dan and I were married. My life was a whirlwind. I moved out of my parents’ house prior to meeting him, and I was settling into my new space. I started a new job, finished college, met my best-friend and soon-to-be husband, all the while trying to plan for a wedding and future. Things were emotionally tumultuous that year, and I will admit that I gained around 40 pounds. I went from a size 4 to a 14 within months. I wasn’t happy with myself and I knew that I needed to get on board and shed those pounds, but the stress that I had dealt with didn’t seem conducive to helping me see the brighter picture. I prayed and prayed and asked God for strength and help. Where was he, I wondered? I didn’t feel as though he was listening to me at all…

So the following year, 2007, my employer’s wellness screening showed me that my cholesterol was over 200!! NO! I thought, “mom’s side of the family struggled and passed away due to heart disease, I am only 25 years old…I am too young to be dealing with this.”

Time went by; I joined a fitness club and tried and tried. I constantly would get asked, “When are you expecting?” or “When are you due?” It REALLY bothered me at first, and quite honestly it still bothers me a little, but it wasn’t like the first few times I was asked. I now look at people and say, “I am not pregnant, I am just chubby.” Ha! Talk about making someone feel uncomfortable. That is the only thing that I think to say, so it comes out.

Well, back to my focus. The past few months, I have stopped focusing on my goal of losing weight, but I have been focusing on God. I realize that I would like a deeper intimacy with Him, but like any relationship, it grows and builds over time while two parties spend more quality time together. In the midst of my goal-setting and achieving, I have been introduced to a new website called SparkPeople. This website is really awesome and helps me focus on my goals. At www.sparkpeople.com, you can sign up too. It calculated my BMI, which the fitness expert at my health club found that sparkpeople was only 1 point off from properly calculating my BMI, which is pretty good. I get up-to-date tips on health and wellness sent to my yahoo inbox, I calculate my calories on their website everyday, I am challenged to drink 8 glasses of water, I can track all of my exercises, in addition to an online fitness expert that shows exercises that you can do from your home or gym. It really is neat.

“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

You were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

There are so many things that I could say about being an overweight Christian. I am honored that I have been able to go through this, because my perspective on a lot of things has changed, which I may not have ever been able to understand otherwise. But I need to focus on the fact that my body is God’s temple. If I trust in food, instead of God, than there is a problem. If I don’t exercise and build my body’s strength, am I going to have physical problems due to being overweight? Well, from working in a hospital, I would say ABSOLUTELY! So, with this information, I need to keep my focus on God and not on pleasing my flesh. But I need to remind myself that one way to honor God is take care of this vehicle, or tent that he has given to me, because this is the only one that I get.

More health and wellness tips from a Christian perspective to come…

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Is there really such a thing as “negative calorie” foods?

Your body burns calories by digesting food, just as it does by maintaining many other biological and bodily functions. This is the concept behind the idea of “negative calorie” foods. The idea that there are negative calorie foods—foods that are so low in calories that simply digesting them burns more calories than they contain—is a popular theory. Certain low-calorie (and often water-rich) foods like celery or cucumbers are often touted as examples of negative calorie foods, but this concept is wishful thinking. There is no such thing as a negative-calorie food.

Digesting and absorbing food uses about 10% of your total calorie intake. For someone eating 1500-1800 calories daily, for example, only 150-180 calories are expended to completely digest and absorb EVERYTHING you eat in a day.

It is great to include low calorie, high fiber, and water-rich foods in your daily diet. These foods add nutrients, bulk, and volume to your diet, but they still contain calories and should always be included in your calorie count. No food is a “free” food; eating too much of any food can cause weight gain or inhibit weight loss.

Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian

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One thing that I really like about the book is that ANYONE can do SOMETHING organic. I think many people still have the wrong idea about organics. The other day at work, I mentioned how I am trying to eat more organic, and someone said to me that she could never be vegetarian. I told her that vegetarian and organic are two different things. If you aren’t 100% what the term organic means get ready to learn. According to wikipedia.org:

• Organic food is produced through organic methods, including fruit, vegetables, and meat.
• Organic Agriculture is that which relies on ecosystem management rather than external agricultural inputs.

Anywhere from cotton to beef to cosmetics can be “organic.” If you aren’t sure as to what you are buying is organic or not, you can find commercial items with stickers or stamps of the USDA at your local stores. These are products that have proven to be farmed, etc without the use of pesticides, hormones, etc (generally speaking).

So, now that we have cleared that up…the book that I am reading suggests a ton of eco-friendly ideas to assist with day-to-day living. I really like the thought of a wood-burning stove and a worm composter. Many pages include ways to DIY gardening organics which includes having an indoor herb garden, to fig trees that help shade your house.

I never thought that I could keep my own honey bees or make freshly churned butter. If I want to know what types of geese and chickens to buy, I have pictures of different types and how to keep them (I am talking live animals people).

Overall, I think that everyone ought to own this book. It is very eye-opening, and simple. One thing that I did not care for was the organization of some of the material in the book. I felt as though growing and maintaining herbs seemed to pop up every now and again throughout the book, whereas I think that it would have done the reader good if this information was all in the same spot instead of scattered throughout.

I feel rather enlightened after gaining knowledge about what chemicals I have been putting on my skin and how to dispose of organic materials instead of placing them in my kitchen garbage can. I now have a recipe for making organic/homemade bread and jarring preserves/jams. These are practical applications which I know I can use whether I live in an urban, suburban, or rural setting. We all need to face the facts that we are stewards of our planet, and our children’s children need to live here too. So we are all responsible for making the best decisions for future generations.

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Eateries must remove artificial trans fats from all menu items by July 1.

When first implemented last year, the Health Department ban applied only to fry oils and spreads. It now will also include baked goods, frozen foods, cannoli and doughnuts.

Foods served in original, sealed packaging – such as candy and crackers – are exempt….

It’ll be interesting to see if NYC has lower obesity rates five years from now with the implementation of these restrictions.

Do you think it’s right for the government to regulate what we can and can’t eat and prepare food with? Is it ok since they are looking out for the population’s best interests? To what extent do we as citizens have the responsibility of avoiding fatty foods? If someone is overweight, is it the government’s fault for allowing the food industry to make food that is horrible for us, or is it our fault for failing to choose a proper diet and research our food choices? I’d love to hear some discussion on this….

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A federal appeals court said on Tuesday that a new rule requiring New York City fast food restaurants to post calorie information on menu boards is effective immediately.

A spokeswoman for the city law department said the city expects restaurants to begin complying with the rule by midnight on Tuesday.

The health code provision, which affects businesses that have at least 15 establishments nationwide, requires that restaurants post caloric information on menus and menu boards in the same font and format used to display the name or price of the menu item.

In a lawsuit, The New York State Restaurant Association argued the rule is a violation of free speech and will make menus difficult to read.

This is a great idea! Now people will be able to see how many calories they are eating. People seemed to respond well to my Religious Literacy Quiz that I posted a few days ago, so I’m going to give you another quiz about eating healthy. Once again, I’d love to hear your score in the comments!

Healthy Eating Quiz

Grab a pencil and paper and begin! Please leave your score in the comments! I love to hear feedback!

1. Which salad has the most calories?

1. Applebee’s Southwest Cobb Salad
2. Chili’s Crispy Chicken Salad
3. McDonald’s Asian Salad with chicken

2. Out of this selection of burgers and sandwiches, which has the fewest calories?

1. Applebee’s Tango Chicken sandwich
2. Chili’s Chipotle Blue Cheese Bacon Burger
3. McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with cheese

3. Which combo has the fewest calories?

1. McDonald’s Grilled Chicken Ranch BLT with french fries
2. Two Taco Bell tacos and one beef chalupa.
3. One Taco Bell burrito and two tacos.

4. Which has the most calories?

1. Applebee’s Cajun Lime Tilapia
2. Chili’s Lettuce Wraps
3. Domino’s pepperoni pizza (2 slices of thin crust)

5. Which pizza is better for you?

1. 1 slice of Domino’s thin crust with 2-3 toppings
2. 1 slice of Domino’s deep dish with many toppings

6. Which McDonald’s menu item has the most calories?

1. Four hamburgers
2. A large chocolate shake

7. Which Starbucks menu item has fewer calories?

1. A whole milk cappuccino
2. A chai tea latte

The Results

How do you think you did? Find out below!

1. Which salad has the most calories? The answer is b, Chili’s Crispy Chicken Salad. The Chili’s Crispy Chicken Salad has 810 calories, while the Applebee’s Southwest Cobb Salad has only 440 calories. The McDonald’s salad was the leanest of the group, with only 290 calories.

2. Out of this selection of burgers and sandwiches, which has the fewest calories? The answer is a, Applebee’s Tango Chicken sandwich. The Tango Chicken Sandwich from Applebee’s is the leanest of the group with 370 calories and only 9 grams of fat. The Quarter Pounder is next with 510 calories and 25 grams of fat. The Chili’s Chipotle Blue Cheese Bacon Burger is a whopping 1090 calories and 71 grams of fat.

3. Which combo has the fewest calories? The answer is b, two Taco Bell tacos and one beef chalupa. You could eat two Taco Bell tacos and a beef chalupa for a total of 740 calories. A burrito and two tacos is 780 calories while the McDonald’s Chicken Ranch BLT and an order of french fries weighs in with 870 calories.

4. Which has the most calories? The answer is b, Chili’s Lettuce Wraps. The two slices of pizza are only 320 calories, compared to 330 calories for an order of lettuce wraps. The grilled Tilapia from Applebee’s, however, has only 310 calories. And you thought pizza was unhealthy Wait till you read the next question’s answer!

5. Which pizza is better for you? The answer is a, 1 slice of Domino’s thin crust with 2-3 toppings. The thin crust pizza blows away the other versions. At 80 calories a slice, you could have nearly 3 pieces of thin crust before you matched the 230 calories per slice in the deep dish variety. And you probably used reverse psychology and picked b, didn’t you? This time the obvious answer WAS true!

6. Which McDonald’s menu item has the most calories? The answer is b, the large chocolate shake. The shake has 1,160 calories while a hamburger contains 250 calories. Four hamburgers would still only be 1,000 calories.

7. Which Starbucks menu item has fewer calories? The answer is a, the whole milk cappuccino. The cappucine has 140 calories, compared to the chai tea latte, which contains 260 calories.

So there you have it! How did you do? Feel free to comment with your score! I certainly think it’s a great idea for NYC to have its fast food restaurants post calories on the menus!

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How is fluoride dangerous? Let’s begin with a few quotes from some experts in the field:

“Fluoridation is the greatest case of scientific fraud of this century, if not of all time.”
- Robert Carton, Ph.D. former US EPA scientist

“Fluoride is an accumulative poison which accumulates in the skeletal structures, including the teeth, when the body is exposed to small daily intakes of this element. …it is like lead accumulation in the bone until saturation occurs and then lead poisoning sets in.”
- Dr. P.H. Phillips, biochemist, University of Wisconsin

“I know of absolutely no, and I mean absolutely no means of prevention that would save so many lives as simply to stop fluoridation, or don’t start it where it is otherwise going to be started. There you might save 30,000 or 40,000 or 50,000 lives a year, cancer lives. That is an awful lot of lives a year.”
- Dr. Dean Burk Ph.D. (34 years at the National Cancer Institute). Judicial hearing, January 14, 1982. Safe Water Foundation vs. City of Houston, District Court of Texas, Harris County, 151st Judicial District, 80-52271

So how is fluoride dangerous? Simply because it’s a toxic waste…

According to an article by the Federal Debt Relief System, which you really need to read,

Fluoride, even in very small amounts, can calcify soft tissue, damage the immune system, make arthritis worse, inhibit enzyme systems, and cause teeth to show brown or yellow spots (dental fluorosis).

The truth is that fluoride and our water only go together to pollute you. It’s toxic waste, more deadly than lead. When you take in fluoride, you’re taking in a by-product of aluminum and fertilizer. This poison accumulates in the body in calcified tissues, such as the teeth and bones.

Convincing the American people that fluoride and our water go together to form a wonderful fight against tooth decay is another example of the people being duped by big business. Companies have made fortunes selling this poison to the public. And saved billions more by avoiding the need to clean up the pollutant in the process.

You really need to watch this video, which hosts dentists, toothpaste manufacturers, etc.

In Fluoride Policy is a Public Fraud, Mike Adams addresses the question of, how is fluoride dangerous…

“Fluorosilicic acid is not fluoride, it is something very different, and it strikes me as downright bizarre that it is perfectly legal to dump this toxic waste product into the rivers and streams of America as long as it passes through the bodies of human beings first.

“In other words, it’s illegal to take a bucket of fluorosilicic acid and dump it into a stream, but it is perfectly legal to dump it into the bodies of human beings, whose waste products will subsequently enter those same streams and rivers.

“All of this is done under the guise of distorted scientific evidence that claims the mass consumption of fluorosilicic acid somehow improves the dental health of Americans. And yet there is no credible evidence that this is the case. All of the evidence cited by the EPA, the American Dental Association, and dentists has been fraudulently concocted, and quite frankly is decades old.

“Across America today, you see the effects of mass fluoridation all around you — you see children with darkened teeth from fluoridosis, you see elderly people breaking their bones because fluoridation of the water supplies contributes to brittle bones. You see children with behavioral disorders that are multiplied by the effects of lead in their bloodstream, and lead uptake is enhanced in the presence of fluoride in public water.

“You also see a great number of neurological disorders in the U.S. population. You see problems with migraine headaches, clinical depression, dementia, and Alzheimer’s, and there is a very strong link between these diseases and the long-term consumption of fluoride in the public water supply.”

Read the full article for yourself! P.S. It looks like I need to find a toothpaste that doesn’t contain fluoride (any advice would be welcome).

UPDATE — Comment from Flip Flop Mamma — “Yes, we are aware of this. Isn’t it crazy? And they put fluoride in baby water too (water to make formula with)… . We use Tom’s of Maine peppermint toothpaste. You can usually get it at Target or Walgreens, but only the peppermint, the other ones are kind of gross:) but be careful because there are 2 kinds and one has fluoride and one doesn’t.” There you have it, from an expert!

UPDATE — An article for the skeptics who wish to cite faulty research: Click here.

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