In a world of AI, vegetarian hamburgers, baby formula, vanilla scented candles, protein supplements, Photoshop, Genetically Modified Organisms, even BMI – a measurement of fitness, many people in today’s culture find RAW to be revulsive. As we elevate ourselves to be God-like, food, faith, lifestyles and more that are in a natural condition, not processed or refined strike caution, fear, resistance and even hate in all kinds of people. Would you drink raw milk?

Tommy Wheatley and best friend (since kindergarten)/business partner Luke Kidwell founded Raw Milk & Deadlifts. They’re farmers who have a passion for fitness, health and wellness, and God! AND yes, they love RAW milk.

Watch this Faith & Fitness Magazine video to learn more about how bringing together raw milk and deadlifts transforms your mindset about fitness and nutrition.

IT’S DELICIOUS AND…

If you’re a raw milk lover, Tommy says there’s a good likelihood that you’re into overall wellness, good food and trying to take care of your body to the best of your ability. If you’re an ‘iron addict’ (you like to exercise and lift weights regularly) then, once you get drinking raw milk, you’re going to discover just how much it will help your workouts.

Raw milk delivers some powerful benefits to your workout:

• It is nutrient dense
• It is full of healthy fats
• It provides good healthy calories

FIND RAW MILK NEAR YOU

Thirsty for some real dairy goodness? Tommy and Luke recommend that you use the locator on the A Campaign For Real Milk website to find possible local sources of raw milk near you. Once you’ve had some, post a comment below and share about it with the Faith & Fitness Magazine community.

MORE ‘RAW’

We think RAW is a mindset worth lifting up before you. So, check out these other links to raw goodness!

Faith & Fitness Magazine article: Revert To Raw: 7 Snacks You Can Eat Anytime – Anywhere!

Theology in the Raw is a ministry that helps Christians think Christianly about theological and cultural issues. Sounds like a no-brainer but it’s just as challenging as it is to get people to want to drink raw milk. We think it is a ministry, podcast and conference you should consume as a healthy way toward greater spiritual wellness.

Faith & Fitness Magazine article: The Raw Truth Of Faith And Fitness

WORSHIP IN THE RAW

Raw milk is basic, authentic and unadulterated food. The deadlift, often called the king of lifts, is likewise a very classic move. So, we offer the song below to you as a way to worship and reflect on some of the core tenets and truths of the Christian faith.

The post Raw Milk & Deadlifts appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

For more from Tommy and Luke go to their website Raw Milk & Deadlifts.

This video is Copyright 2024 by Faith & Fitness Magazine and Lifestyle Media Group, https://lifestylemediagroup.com stock music: Aoustic Crossing by Les FM, https://lesfm.net, under a free use creative commons license. stock photos and video by Raw Milk & Deadlifts

The post Raw Milk & Deadlifts – VIDEO appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could get the Nutrition Facts of your holiday meal just by taking a picture of the entire feast? There’s always another holiday just around the corner. At least it can seem that way – all year long. Each one has specific edibles (whether that be meats, vegetables, fruits, dairy or — candy!) that are customary to eat. “Eat” is putting it mildly. We indulge with big portions frequently. “Holiday nutrition” to most of us seems to be an oxymoron or at least something that just can’t be. This article we think can equip you to make HEALTHIER holiday nutrition your reality.

There are plenty of healthy eating Bible verses that can be used to condemn just about every yummy holiday goody you’ll encounter. Using the Bible to force change during the holidays can be a spiritual setup that Satan uses to cause strife and problems. Here at Faith & Fitness Magazine we want to help you take some simple steps toward honoring God by making a commitment to BETTER holiday nutrition.

HEALTHIER IS DEFINITELY BETTER

The macaroni, stuffing, sweet potato and other baked recipes are often high in carbs. Add a whole stick of butter or two to make it really decadent and you just loaded up with lots of fat too. Yeah and a good amount of salt really brings out the flavor. Plus some sugar! Honestly, that beautiful garden salad you make with lots of raw veggies and just a light splash of vinaigrette is going to be the real holiday nutrition. Eat a big serving of it and you get an immediate 100 bonus points so to speak. But come on, those carb dishes — if you’re like most people during the holidays, you’ve gotta’ at least sample a spoonful or 2! What can you do?

Make the holiday dishes you prepare with better holiday nutrition in mind. For example if the recipe calls for a stick of butter, reduce that amount to 3/4 or even 1/2 of a stick. AND – back off the amount of salt you put in it too. It’s still a carb dish with fat and sodium but it’s a bit healthier and that is definitely better.

In other words the holidays are definitely not the time to try to get everyone to be vegan, lose weight and build muscle. If they go away from this meal having eaten more vegetables, not gained as much weight as they usually do and being a bit more active than last year then you can celebrate that you brought better holiday nutrition to the holiday gathering.

Here’s some more ideas to make the holidays healthier:

• Typically people try a little this and a little that. So make more smaller healthier dishes so they can try more “healthy”. Sure, maybe you were asked to only bring 1 side dish – and it just so happens to be the really rich pie for which you’re famous for making (before you got serious with your faith and fitness lifestyle). Go ahead and make it amazing and then also bring a couple small healthier dishes to add to the already huge buffet table. Tell ’em, “I saw this recipe. It looked delicious and I just had to try it for the holiday.”
• Push the water in a fun way. Make a water bar with exotic and flavorful additives such as fruit, herbs, juice and bling (like fancy drinking glasses, straws and more). Better holiday nutrition means that when you think about the drinks you rethink water. God gave us a great beverage. Drink it.
• Eat smaller portions. But what a kill joy that is, right?! You know that everybody wants more and more and MORE. So have the to-go containers ready with a marker and bags and encourage people to have seconds for tomorrow and the next day and for even giving to others.
• USE THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW TO POST YOUR HEALTHIER IS BETTER IDEAS.

BEYOND THE MEALS: SNACKS, APPETIZERS, DESERTS AND LEFTOVERS

SNACKS: Holiday nutrition isn’t just about focusing on the big meal. Everyone wants to cheat and snack both before and after the meal and throughout the whole day. Be ready to make snack time a healthier cheat. For starters you can revert to raw. Veggies that are raw are straight up healthy nutrition as only God can package it. Raw whole cranberries dipped in raw honey. It’s different and daring right? Get the kids to do a contest with this “snack”. The winner gets a prize. And – as the kids try it the adults too get a chance to try something healthier. So, maybe everyone is a winner.

Snacks are considered a cheat (and everyone is going to cheat during the holidays) so making your snacks healthier may be one of the best ways to improve holiday nutrition.

APPETIZERS: Here is where you can perhaps make your healthiest impression. While charcuterie boards traditionally have preserved meats (high in sodium) and cheese (high in fat) you can make a healthier charcuterie board that will have everyone talking. The appetizer is an ideal part of the meal to tap into God’s great spice rack and highlight some specific herbs and seasonings that are your favorite.

DESERTS: In contrast to the many healthy ventures you can take with appetizers, you may feel it is particularly challenging to make a healthier desert. But – you can. Some of the best deserts are the simple one’s. So some vanilla ice cream topped with blueberries is an awesome way to do both simple and healthier. The ice cream, unless it is vegan ice cream, is pretty high in fat but the blueberries deliver the healthier benefit. Blueberries, loaded with nutrients, are considered a super food. These delicious antioxidants may help reduce blood pressure and reduce heart disease. If you’re not into berries but prefer chocolate you’ll be happy to know that it too is a super food.

LEFTOVERS: As mentioned above, instead of “stuffing” yourself at a holiday meal, portion your seconds into to-go packages for leftovers for the next few days. Just make sure the food is refrigerated properly and that you eat it before it goes bad.

But – leftover time is the time to add your even healthier sides from home. In addition to the leftovers, include a side salad, some whole grain cracker or bread, some extra fresh raw veggies or fruits. Nobody ever wants to eat JUST leftovers, so adding the healthy extras you have at home is a total holiday nutrition win!

The post Holiday Nutrition appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

With a variety of marinades available, you can choose from classic, spicy, sweet, or even exotic flavors to create a unique and delicious dish to your liking. Marinades work by adding flavor and tenderizing meat by breaking down connective tissue. The acid in marinades, typically vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice, is essential in this process. The acid reacts with the protein in the meat, helping to make it more tender and juicy. Other ingredients like spices and oils serve to complement the acidity and add additional layers of flavor.

Here are some types of marinades you can try:

1. CLASSIC MARINADE: This marinade is perfect for meats like chicken, pork, and beef. It consists of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add some herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano to enhance the flavor.
2. HAWAIIAN MARINADE: This sweet and savory marinade is great for chicken, pork or beef. It typically includes pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.
3. SPICY MARINADE: If you love a little heat, try a spicy marinade. It can be used for chicken, steak, or shrimp. Mix together olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic, and lime juice.
4. LEMON-HERB MARINADE: This fresh and tangy marinade is perfect for chicken, fish, and vegetables. It consists of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a combination of herbs, such as basil, thyme, or rosemary.

DON’T OVERDO WHAT YOU DO

When marinating food, it is important to remember to not overdo it. While it might be tempting to leave your meat in the marinade overnight, this can actually cause the meat to become mushy and lose its texture. Instead, aim for 30 minutes to two hours of marinating, depending on the thickness of the meat.

Marinating food can be a great way to add flavor and tenderness to your meals. With a variety of marinade options, you can experiment with different flavors and create a unique and delicious dish every time. So, the next time you want to add some excitement to your meal, create some Mmmm…arinated Goodness!

ENJOY IT FROM BEGINNING TO MMM…

You’ve got this! You’ve done the research and the learning curve. Now it’s time to make your own ‘private label’ marinade. It may take a few meals to try and find what is just right. Once you’ve got it, commit your marinade recipe to paper or your digital cookbook, get that food marinated and then share the Mmmm with others.

Try a unique and perhaps new-to-you way of preparing your meal. In this case, Chef Nick uses a vertical broiler. As special as different marinades make your meal, you’ll find that different preparation methods can dramatically create different nuances in taste, texture and more.

Once your meal is cooked then you’re ready to make it an experience for family and friends. Bring all the ingredients together and make the preparation a good time of conversation and fellowship. Your meal isn’t just about the food it is the deeper meaning, the memories – the Mmmm…arvelous times in Christ you share with others.

Chef Nick’s Mmmm…editerranean Meal is this amazing Greek pork gyro with pita bread, the specially marinated pork, fresh garden tomatoes and lettuce topped with fries, onion and Taziki.

What will be your next marinated meal? Post a comment below and share your marinade tips and questions along with how you make mealtimes meaningful.

THERE’S MORE TO MARINATE

POSTSCRIPT FROM THE PUBLISHER: This article is featured in the May-July 2023 issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine, which helps you explore the theme COMMIT. We encourage you to grow deeper in your knowledge of the Bible. Pursue a confident understanding of God’s purpose for your life. Like physical fitness, having a rich and personal faith relationship with God isn’t short lived explorations it requires a long term journey – a lifestyle. When you commit to passionately follow Christ the tough times will produce tender moments and you will taste of the goodness that is marinated in God’s grace. Let this be the season in your life where you earnestly say to God #hereIam let me be the salt you use to bring flavor to the lives of others.

MORE FLAVOR TO SAVOR

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TRIM OUT YOUR MEAL

Call it a side dish if you want but the trimmings to the main course are what make a meal truly spectacular. Regardless of whether it’s a flavorful twist on a seasonal favorite or your own wholesome approach to a regular weekly meal, making trimmings both tasty and nutritious will make you and those you feed smile with satisfaction.

Take some time to learn more about what makes foods delicious. You can make the “secret sauce” with a reduced amount of sodium or more natural sweeteners so that everyone including children discover that trimmings are more than salt, sugar and sitting around. That side can be higher in fiber, richer in antioxidants and flavored with natural ingredients from God’s great spice rack.

SHARE HOW YOU TRIM OUT YOUR MEAL: Take a moment to contact us and tell about your favorite trimmings. Include your tips, what you’ve learned, how you tweak the recipe, and the feedback you’ve received from those who said, “Mmmmm!” Send us a picture too.

TRIM DOWN YOUR PHYSIQUE

Nobody wants to “go on a diet” but we all know that too often we consume too many calories from unhealthy foods and then simply aren’t as physically active as we need to be – the way God designed us to live. Trimming down your physique goes way beyond losing weight. It’s about moving your body more easily, becoming stronger, resting better, being more vibrant and living healthy.

It isn’t complicated to trim down your physique. In fact the skills and practices that help you become physically and spiritually stronger are pretty intuitive and basic. So, when you’re thinking about defining the trimmings as it relates to your physique it is good to simply get back to basics. Physical exercise that yields results is trimmed with commitment and focus, preparation, teamwork and support from others, doing the job well, and keeping it engaging with variety.

SHARE HOW YOU TRIM DOWN YOUR PHYSIQUE: Maybe you’re preparing for a physique competition, race or other physical performance. Maybe you’re simply preparing for a stronger and healthier rest of your life. You might be trimming down to having defined lean muscle mass or perhaps your goal is more in the realm of walking without pain, further and faster. We’d like for you to contact us and share the details – your perspective on all the trimmings.

TRIM AWAY FOR A BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Another kind of trimming that is often discussed and studied less than diet and exercise is the trimming God does in the lives of those who pursue after Him and accept it. We’re talking about trimming away the things in our lives that are dead or have no value. Let God be like a gardener with you, cutting off and pruning away the things that aren’t fruitful in your life.

Sometimes that is obvious and easy. Other times when we think something is useful, but God knows it isn’t, we resist the trimming, fear losing something we’ve found familiar and find it painful. God knows what you need to lose so that you can produce more and produce it better.

That leads to the other kind of trimming that you should desire and receive. Visualize trimming a Christmas tree. Like you, it’s created to be strong. End of story? Not for God. He wants to adorn and accessorize you, adding the special qualities, abilities and one of a kind uniqueness that is truly beautiful.

If you could see as Jesus sees you’d start to discover that you are altogether beautiful. One ornament at a time, the Spirit of God trims us, adding yet another beautiful quality that glitters and attracts others to Christ.

SHARE HOW GOD IS TRIMMING AWAY IN YOUR LIFE: Let’s celebrate together the beautiful life that Christ gives us. Contact us to share how God has done both pruning and adorning in your life.

SHARE THE TRIMMINGS WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Use the graphic below to post to your social media or to save to your device and text to family and friends. You can included the following text:

I recently read, ALL The Trimmings, in Faith & Fitness Magazine and it literally talks about ALL the trimmings: side dishes, exercise and what God’s doing in our lives. Go to https://faithandfitness.net/alltrimmings I think you’ll like it.

Read this next

If you’re the cook for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years or any other holiday, Registered Dietitian Elizabeth Barge has ways to make your special meal healthy for them and you.

The post ALL The Trimmings appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

NATURAL FITNESS AND NUTRITION

My mother grew up starting her day with chores like hand pumping 100 gallons of water for the cattle she had to walk to retrieve each morning from the other end of their 80 acres, carrying water into the house for use there and then out, milking the cows, gathering eggs, and many other tasks. She then went to school where she had PE and sports. When she returned home, she had many of the same chores to repeat.

Her life was full of exertion and my dad’s was even more strenuous with dawn to dusk cotton picking for one dollar a day. They ate natural, whole foods that they mostly raised themselves and harvested and butchered. You could say their lives literally consisted of a strenuous, laboring style workout combined with very clean eating. They lived a lifestyle that was much closer to our ancestors Natural Lifestyle that stretches, without much change in natural exertion, back to prehistoric times.

“A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him on” Proverbs 16:26 CSB

My lifestyle as a youth in contrast consisted of very little physical activity and a great deal more soda pop drinking etc. up until seventh grade. Then my middle school PE teacher, who doubled as the football and baseball coach made me a deal. If I could do one pull up by the end of the semester, I would not fail PE. My father who was a steelworker built me a pull-up bar out of pipe on the shed that he worked his second job in welding at the back of our property.

“If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise you’ll get sick from it and vomit” Proverbs 25:16 CSB

 I struggled for three weeks to be able to finally do one pull up. Do you know what I discovered after I got one? Three came a lot easier than one did. My whole life changed. I started running around the blocks in our neighborhood and tried to go faster each time. I didn’t know what I was doing but it all worked out because I became driven to exercise and eat well and became successful in both PE and athletics.

NATURAL LIFESTYLE MATCHING

This is where I began to study the biochemistry of healthy lifestyles versus unhealthy lifestyles. I have not ever stopped. What I’ve discovered is that trying to live a Natural Lifestyle Match leads to the best wellness outcomes on almost every level. What do I mean by this? Science has discovered the importance of the natural circadian rhythm of being exposed consistently to bright light during the day and to darkness at night as well as the natural vegetation outdoors which give off oxygen. With all of our screen use many of us are destroying this rhythm. Relatedly, it has been discovered that eating should align with the active daylight hours. Most importantly along the way I also discovered that the truths of the Bible align with this wisdom as I have alluded to with the Scripture inserts. The most recent example is the realization of the value of fasting, since our ancestors had periods of time they didn’t have food.

There are many other examples that we will explore but for now the one I want to emphasize is the Natural Lifestyle Match of traditional courtship, marriage, and family. God designed humans for marriage and the family that the sexual integrity of the bond produces. Again, natural, and social science agree. Jesus said in Matthew 19:5 that “for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh” CSB. As we explored in the previous two posts, He also created a Natural Lifestyle with regard to the birth of children and the health benefits that accrue from that, especially for women.

NATURAL LIFESTYLE MARRIAGE BENEFITS

Both sexes benefit from creating a Natural Lifestyle Match in the area of lifelong marriage. Being married significantly reduces your chances of hospitalization, need for surgery, dying after bypass surgery, getting pneumonia, getting rheumatoid arthritis, gum disease, viral infection, dementia, clinical depression, heart attack, cancer, being jailed, being murdered, being killed in a car wreck, and committing suicide.

We are going to talk much more about this powerful insight but for now let’s just summarize by saying that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and the wisdom of the Bible brings wholistic human wellness.

The post A Match Made in Heaven appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

Try all 3 of these salad recipes:

If you’re ready to make progress toward better nutrition in your life Lisa wants you to know that, “No matter where you live or what ingredients you have available, you can make a delicious salad.” You may not grow a garden like Lisa does. There may be specific dietary needs that you have to meet. The great thing about getting together with others to make salads is that you share ideas, ingredients, tips and good fellowship too. This is the Bible concept of the whole body working together to make fitness memorable and nutritious. This is their #TeamProgressPic

As you watch these videos and try these easy salad recipes think about how you too can invite others to team up with healthy and tasty salads.

You may be wondering if teaming up with others to make salads together is really real. You’re asking, “Lisa and her friends make it look fun, but how would I do this?” Well, yes it is really something that you can do. Here’s how:

BACON CHEESEBURGER SALAD

If this wasn’t a thing before…..it is now! Everything you want in a bacon cheeseburger, but in a big beautiful salad, complete with a perfect dressing! Everything but the bun! I even threw in some avocado! Dig in! When it’s time to eat this is a favorite for men.

[PUBLISHER’S NOTE: It’s been brought to my attention that bacon isn’t an ingredient that should be in a recipe and article titled “Healthy”. It has been identified as a level 1 carcinogen. I keep this recipe in because I like it. BUT, as with all Faith & Fitness Content you are always encouraged to do your own research, prayerfully consider what God is speaking to you and make your own decisions on how best to journey through life.]

Here’s what you need: ( 2-3 salads )

Burger:

• 1/2 lb lean ground beef
• 1 t Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 t seasoned salt
• 1/2 t onion powder
• 1/2 t garlic powder

Salad:

• 4 cups mixed greens
• 5-6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup dill pickle slices
• 2 T minced red onion
• 1 avocado, peeled and sliced

Dressing: ( There will be some leftover )

• 1/4 cup mayo
• 2 T mustard
• 2 T ketchup
• 1 T dill relish
• 1 t white vinegar
• 1 t fresh dill

Mix all the ingredients together for the dressing. and put it in the refrigerator. There will be more than enough dressing.

Brown the ground beef along with the worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, and seasoned salt. Drain excess fat.

Assemble the salads evenly with the greens, cheese, bacon, beef, tomatoes, pickles, red onion, and avocado. Serve with the dressing. YUM!!

RED, WHITE AND BLUE SALAD

I had my family over for a cookout recently and we got to enjoy the summertime pool season! One of the side dishes for my meal was this Red, White, and Blue Salad. I’ve posted several salads this spring, and some similar to this on my Food For Thought website. If you could see my bumper crop of lettuce and spinach in my garden, you would know why. Not to mention, I love salad!

This one was so fitting because it looks so patriotic with its colors of red, white and blue. In fact, I’ll be making it again for the Fourth of July as we celebrate that we have the freedom God has given us to give to others. There are no real measurements for this,so it’s pretty simple. Just add the ingredients in the amounts you want.

There are two salad dressings that I really love that I get from the grocery store, Kroger. Simple Truth Lemon Poppyseed and OPA Strawberry Poppyseed. I recommend these because, not only are they both delicious, but they are made from Greek Yogurt so they are lighter and healthier than some other dressings. Either of these would be great with this salad and can be found refrigerated in the produce section.

Here’s what you need:

• Leaf lettuce ( or your favorite kind)
• Blueberries
• Strawberries, sliced
• Walnuts
• Feta cheese crumbles

GRILLED SHRIMP, MANGO AND AVOCADO SALAD

It is super hot right now in Paducah, and it is too hot for a heavy meal….at least that’s my opinion. I made a delicious and light salad tonight with grilled shrimp, mango, avocado, cucumber, and red onion and it hit the spot! It was satisfying, but perfect for a hot summer night.

The plump shrimp went great with the chunks of sweet mango and creamy avocado. I dressed it with the Simple Truth Organic Lemon Poppyseed dressing I have told you about before, that I get at the grocery in the refrigerated section of the produce section. It is really good with this salad. If you can’t find that dressing, just use your favorite poppyseed dressing or a sweet vinaigrette. Enjoy your salad!

Here’s what you need: ( 2 salads)

• 1 lb. medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined and tails removed. ( You can use less shrimp, but …why? haha)
• Salt, pepper, paprika to taste
• 2 cups mixed baby greens
• 1 ripe avocado, peeled and cut into pieces about 1/2 inch
• 1 ripe mango,peeled and cut into pieces about 1/2 inch
• 1 small cucumber, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup sliced red onion
• A handful of chopped walnuts, pecans, or sliced almonds to top the salads

Preheat the grill. Thread the raw shrimp on skewers, Brush with a little olive oil, then season with salt, pepper and paprika. While the grill heats up, assemble the salads with the greens, cucumber, onion, mango and avocado.

Grill the shrimp about 2-3 minutes per side until they are pink. Place the warm shrimp on the salads, and sprinkle with the nuts to garnish. Drizzle with the poppyseed dressing. Enjoy!

MORE EXCLUSIVE CONTENT FROM FAITH & FITNESS MAGAZINE

• SUMMER CHEF SALADBRATION
• EAT, DRINK AND BE GREEN – RECIPES FOR LIFE
• GOING GREEN WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
• COLOR YOUR DIET HEALTHY
• 5 FLAVOR PACKED WAYS TO GRILL CHICKEN ALL SUMMER LONG (also by Lisa Vasseur Jarvis)

The post Team Up With Healthy And Tasty Salads appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

Grilling is healthier than some other cooking methods because it uses less oil and melts the fats from the meat being cooked. This means less fat on your plate. This will help with managing your weight, and help reduce the risk of certain diseases, like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and obesity. Grilling keeps meat and vegetables tender and flavorful without the need for a lot of added sauces or condiments.

Chicken is one of the most popular foods to grill. In fact, grilled chicken is a summer staple for many families. It is relatively inexpensive and easy to cook. But you might get tired of the same boring, bland chicken breast for dinner all the time.

Well, there’s no reason for that. I want to share some seriously good recipes with you for grilled chicken that will spice up your dinner menu this summer. Not only are my recipes absolutely delicious, they are healthy too. In fact, eating healthy never needs to be bland or tasteless. If you just focus on God made foods, as close to their natural state as possible, you can put them together in an infinite amount of ways that not only taste great but leave you feeling great too.

Whole, natural foods are what our bodies crave for fuel. When we avoid overly processed foods that are full of unhealthy fat, sugar and additives that you can’t pronounce, and choose all the delicious natural foods God has given us, then you will see and feel a huge difference in how you not only look, but how you feel. Face it, a diet full of unhealthy foods can drag you down, leave you feeling sluggish and cause brain fog. No one wants that. Now is a great time to start eating healthier. Healthy eating doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. Let’s dive into five of my favorite recipes for grilled chicken, that also feature some fresh, summer ingredients that will have your dinner guests coming back for more.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH PEACH SALSA

First, let me tell you about my grilled chicken with peach salsa. This dish is like summertime on a plate. Head to the farmer’s market and get some peaches in season and let’s get this delicious dinner going.

When peaches are in season they are so good! I bought some fresh peaches from Paducah’s Downtown Farmer’s Market and decided to make some peach salsa! Man, was it good on this grilled chicken! I love the combination of a sweet fruit and a little heat from a jalapeno , some red onion, cilantro, and lime juice! It’s just perfect on grilled chicken or fish. In fact, I had a little mango that I threw into this mix, but that is optional. This is an easy, and colorful, delicious summer supper! Hope you will take advantage of the fresh peaches that are available right now!

Here’s what you need:

• 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 t ancho chili powder
• 1 T olive oil
• Juice of 2 limes, divided
• salt and pepper ( 1/2 t each, divided)
• 2 medium fresh peaches, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 mango peeled and chopped (optional)
• 1/2 jalapeno pepper seeded and minced
• 3 T red onion finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper

Preparation

Place uncooked chicken breasts in a shallow dish. Mix the olive oil and juice of one lime and half the salt and pepper in a bowl. Pour this over the chicken to coat. Cover and refrigerate while you make the salsa. To make the salsa. mix all of the rest of the ingredients, including the other half of the salt and pepper and the juice of the other lime. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Sprinkle half the ancho chili powder on one side of the chicken. Place the chicken on hot grill and leave it undisturbed for about 5 minutes, to get good grill marks. Turn, sprinkle the rest of the ancho chili powder on the other side and cook another 7-9 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165. Serve with the salsa. I served this with sliced avocado. Another easy taste of summer!!

SUMMER STRAWBERRY SALAD

Next let’s pick some fresh strawberries and create this unforgettable salad. Try this summer strawberry salad with grilled chicken for a flavor-packed lunch or dinner.

When you have fresh strawberries, juicy grilled chicken, and bacon it can never be a bad thing! This salad screams summer! It is super easy to put together as well. While the strawberries are in season, you need to make this!

Here’s what you need: (for two salads)

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 t olive oil
• Paprika, salt and pepper to taste
• 4-6 cups of baby spring mix salad greens
• About 3/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 2 pieces of bacon, cooked , drained and crumbled
• About 1/4 cup sliced roasted almonds
• About 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles, or your choice of cheese

Preparation

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the olive oil on the chicken breasts. Sprinkle each side of the chicken with paprika, salt and pepper to taste. Grill until it reaches an internal temperature of 165. Allow to cool a couple of minutes, then cut into one-inch pieces.

Assemble the salads by placing the spring mix evenly into two large salad bowls or plates. Top evenly with pieces of warm chicken pieces, strawberry slices, bacon crumbles, and sliced almonds. Top with your choice of dressing. I like poppyseed dressing with this salad. It doesn’t need much dressing as this salad is bursting with flavor on its own! Enjoy!

Zucchini Pesto with Grilled Chicken

Are you craving a bowl of pasta but are trying to avoid unhealthy carbs? Try this zucchini pesto with grilled chicken. Zucchini are in abundance in the summer. This is a fantastic way to serve them…as noodles.

Oh my! This zucchini pesto certainly satisfied my craving for a big bowl of pasta! This dish is packed full of flavor and is so very satisfying! I spiralized the zucchini myself with the help of my simple soiralizer I got on Amazon… but in a pinch, you can buy the zucchini noodles already in spirals at most grocery stores. Also, I’m including my recipe for pesto or you can buy pre-made pesto sauce on the spaghetti sauce aisle at the store for a shortcut!

Here‘s what you need:

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 2 T olive oil (divided)
• 1 t Italian seasoning
• 2 medium zucchinis
• 8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup pesto sauce ( bought or homemade. See recipe below)
• 1 15 oz can petite diced tomatoes, drained
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• shredded Parmesan to garnish
• fresh basil leaves torn to garnish
• crushed red pepper flakes to garnish (optional)

Preparation:

**First, prepare the pesto sauce if you are making homemade. Blend the following ingredients together in a food processor, except the oil. Pour the oil in slowly while it is mixing to blend.

3 cups fresh basil leaves, 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts, 4 cloves garlic, peeled, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1 cup olive oil, salt and pepper to taste

Next, place the raw chicken tenders in a large bowl. Drizzle one T of the oil onto the chicken and sprinkle on the Italian seasoning. Stir well to coat each piece. Grill on medium high heat until they reach a safe internal temperature of at least 165 or more. Keep them warm. In a large skillet, heat the remaining T of olive oil and sauté the mushrooms until they are cooked. Add the spiralized zucchini noodles and saute, lightly salting them until they are softened. Just a few minutes will do. Drain off the liquid. Add the cup of pesto sauce and stir to coat the zucchini noodles and mushrooms. Stir in the drained tomatoes and cream. Slice the grilled chicken tenders and toss into the noodle mixture. Serve immediately with grated or shredded Parmesan and fresh basil to garnish. Enjoy!

Grilled Pineapple Pepper Chicken

In the summer, my garden is full of green bell peppers. I created this dish with fresh bell peppers and pineapple for a dinner that is popping with flavor. Check out my grilled pineapple pepper chicken.

All the yumminess of pineapple, lime, jalapeno, and cilantro come together for a party in your mouth with this one! This is a perfect combination of bold flavors! If you are looking for something different to do with chicken, try this! It was delicious!

Here’s what you need:

• 2 lb or so boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 pineapple, peeled, cored and sliced into 1/4 -1/2 inch thick slices
• 1 red onion sliced in 1/4-1/2 inch thick slices
• 1 T olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Lime wedges and fresh cilantro to garnish

For Marinade:

• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 3/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 2 T honey
• Juice of one lime
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/4 t pepper

Place all the ingredients for the marinade in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Reserve out about 1/3 to 1/2 cup for serving. Place the remaining marinade in a bowl and add chicken. Turn to coat and allow to marinate about 10 minutes, (but no more than 10 minutes). Meanwhile, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Brush the pineapple and onion slices with olive oil and salt the onion to taste. Set this aside.

Remove the chicken from the marinade and salt each piece to taste. Place on the grill and allow to grill on one side for about 3 minutes or so to get good grill marks. Turn and continue to grill until it reaches an internal temperature of 165. Halfway through cooking time, place the pineapple and onion slices on the grill until they are softened. Serve all together with fresh cilantro, reserved marinade drizzled on top, and lime wedges. Enjoy!

Honey Lemon Grilled Chicken

Last but most certainly not least, is my fresh and tasty honey lemon grilled chicken. This one is a real crowd pleaser. The brightness of the lemon and the sweetness of the honey are a match made in culinary heaven.

It’s summer which means it’s time to put that grill to use! There’s hardly a better way to serve up a healthy meal than something yummy cooked on the grill! Tonight I made this Honey Lemon Grilled Chicken and it was fantastic! I let the chicken marinate in a delicious mixture of honey, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. I used both boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs. They were both absolutely wonderful, so either will work!

Here’s what you need:

About 3 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Seasoning mix:

• 1 t paprika
• 1 t dried ginger
• 1 t dried oregano
• 2 t salt

Marinade:

• 1/2 cup honey
• Juice of one lemon
• 1 t minced garlic
• 1/3 cup olive oil

Mix up all the ingredients for the marinade. Mix up the ingredients for the seasoning mix. Place the chicken in a long dish. Season the chicken on all sides with the seasoning mix. Now pour the marinade over the chicken and flip the pieces of chicken to coat both sides. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to about 6 hours. Grill the chicken on medium-high heat until it reaches an internal temperature of 165. Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy these healthy and mouth-watering grilled chicken dishes this summer. Fire up the grill and try something different that will not only taste great but will be something you can feel good about too. Happy grilling.

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Water appears 722 times in the Bible, more than the word faith. Water has the power to; heal, purify, sustain and destroy (e.g. the flood, Genesis 6:17).⁴ Water is also vital to survival and overall good health.⁵ ⁶ ⁷ Up to 60% of our body weight is comprised of water.⁸ So, before you think of water as a way to lose weight, consider where the water is located in this intelligently designed body; brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, muscles, liver, skin, and bones to name a few. In addition, we humans can only survive for 3 or 4 days without water.⁹

WATER FOR VITALITY

• Bones are made of 25% Water.
• Brain, kidneys, heart, lungs are 80% water.
• Muscles, liver, and skin are 70% or more water.
• Watery portion of our blood, plasma, is composed mostly of water.

When it comes to personal health and fitness, the physiological benefits of water are endless!¹⁰ ¹¹ Water carries nutrients to our body, oxygen to the heart and brain, helps regulate body temperature and helps the body absorb important vitamins and minerals. Along with the many listed benefits water also provides structure for cells and tissue (think wrinkles in skin) and even aids in brain function.¹² ¹³ Next time you feel tired, lack energy, or have brain fog, consider that studies have suggested it may not be a lack of sleep but signs of dehydration and a need for water for better bodily function.¹⁴ ¹⁵

WATER FOR HEALTH

• Flushes waste from body
• Regulates body temperature
• Helps transport and absorb nutrients
• Lubricates joints and internal organs
• Aids in breaking down food for softer stool

Select PROGRAMMING as the type of ‘Professional Help’ Information you want.

Try rethinking how you drink water during exercise. American College or Sports Medicine (ACSM)¹⁸ advocates hydration and fluid replacement of various amounts before, during and after exercise based on environmental conditions, intensity, and body size. They also state room temperature water replenishes dehydration quicker than cold water.¹⁹ However, one study on endurance athletes indicated cold water during endurance exercise has shown to allow the body core temperature to maintain at lower levels allowing slight increased stamina for endurance athletes over room-temperature water.²⁰ While there is no set standard on amount of water intake, it is best to follow the type of exercise and personal characteristics of your body when it comes to hydration and exercise.

TAKE HYDRATION HIGHER

Adequate hydration habits are essential for optimal health and exercise/sport performance. To test for hydration, check your skin and urine. Aside from previously mentioned dehydration indicators like lack of clarity, fatigue, try the skin Turgor and urine test. These two tests are quick ways to test your hydration levels. Turgor is the degree of elasticity of skin to test the body’s extent of dehydration or fluid loss.²¹ Urine is a mix of water, kidney waste from filtering blood and electrolytes.²² Normal is transparent yellow however, other colors can say volumes.

We’ve brought together this research, Christian faith connections and tips so that you can prayerfully consider how you can rethink water. Water is a vital element of life, both in the physical and spiritual sense. We are stewards of our bodies, temples of the Spirit who lives in us. Christians are called to be good stewards of what they have been given – that includes the body. Be responsible and take care of your body. Rethinking how, when and why you consume water is important to physical and spiritual well-being.

Endnote: This is the first in a series on Biblical Sports Nutrition articles written by the authors. Our goal as followers of Christ and as Sport and Exercise Professionals is to share with our readers how God created us to flourish both physically, spiritually and mentally through caring for others and ourselves by following good nutrition and health practices. Dr.’s Monica O’Rourke and Scott Roberts encourage you to review our biblical and science resources for further study on the benefits of water to help you live your best life.

References

1. Sarfati, J. (1997). The wonders of water. Creation, 20 (1), 44-47. https://creation.com/the-wonders-of-water
2. Shiklomanov, I. (1993). World fresh water resources. In Gleick, P. (Ed), Water in Crisis: A guide to the world’s fresh water resources. Oxford Press.
3. United States Geological Survey. (2020, December 22). Fundamentals of the water cycle. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/fundamentals-water-cycle?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
4. Bible Gateway. (2020, December). https://www.biblegateway.com/
5. Roland, J. (2019). What is the average (and ideal) percentage of water in your body? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/body-water-percentage
6. Menton, D. (2019). Water in your lungs: What a relief. Answers Magazine.
7. Song, Y., Yang, B., Matthay, M., Ma, T., & Verkman, A.S. (2000). Role of aquaporin water channels in pleural fluid dynamics. American Journal of Physiology Cell Physiology, 279, C1744-C1750.
8. Roland, J. (2019). What is the average (and ideal) percentage of water in your body? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/body-water-percentage
9. Popkin, B,  D’Anci, K. & Rosenberg, I.  (2010). Water, hydration, and health. Nutrition reviews, 68(8), 439-458.
10. Sissons, C. (2020). What is the average percentage of water in the human body? Healthline. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-percentage-of-the-human-body-is-water
11. Foley, A. (2018). Water: An underappreciated gift of the Creator. Answers in Genesis.
12. Roy, B. (2013). Exercise and fluid replacement: Brought to you by the American College of Sports Medicine. American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Journal, 12(4), 3. doi: 10.1249/FIT.0b013e318296bc4b

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By Mike Reyes, The Why & The Way

As a Father of three boys my heart is forever reminding me of these three important things; There is no-one but Him, my family are my priority and there is still so much to be done within my own community, through unity!

The taste of blessed is an awesome way to look at the food we consume daily. It’s an even better way to pursue God through the enjoyment and fulfilment of meal-time. One thing on which I want to focus with you throughout this article is this Bible passage Matthew 14:18.

My name is Mike Reyes and I am a professional chef and business owner from the land down under – Australia. More specifically I am based on the sunny Gold Coast, Queensland. I have three beautiful boys. They are a huge motivation and reason why I have made long-term decisions surrounding my health and lifestyle choices.

When it comes to the taste of blessed, you could say that long before I became a Christian I still understood just how blessed I really was to have amazing food and have an upbringing in my home where food brought my family together every day. As the oldest sibling of three boys myself I was always helping my mother in the kitchen from a very young age. From that young age I knew I wanted to cook and pursue a career as a chef. By the age of 17, I was an apprentice chef and I was serving the world’s finest in Auckland, New Zealand where I was born. When I turned 24, I left New Zealand and made my way to Australia.

Once I moved to the Gold Coast, I pursued a career in the fitness industry and became a personal trainer. Through the years, I began to learn a lot about health and nutrition. During this time I was on my own health and fitness journey without realizing that there was one crucial part missing that gave me real purpose – Jesus. My passion for health, nutrition and fitness has matured with Jesus now at the center!

My career in the fitness industry helped me to examine all the bad habits I learned as a professional chef and pursue making healthier meals that could truly be a more physical and spiritual blessing. I used a lot of oils, fats, dairy products and I consumed too much meat and other ingredients. That created, over the years, bad gut health from the wrong foods (even though they taste amazing). This made me think about what it really means to have things in moderation and what a “healthy gut” actually means to me.

I realize eating good greens and whole foods are much better. These foods give me as an active dad of three boys more energy, a better immune system, and more performance at the gym. From a purely worldly sense, just to simply understand better health is exactly what the taste of blessed represents but I see from a Christian faith perspective the taste of blessed can mean so much more and have a much greater impact in our lives.

THE VISION

As the years went on I experienced a divorce and a time when I could not see my children. Even though this was one of the most painful times in my life God was pursuing me and I began to pursue him! In 2018 I gave my heart to the Lord and the rest is history. It was at that time that I also found like-minded Christians who have a passion for health and fitness. From that moment, I eagerly wanted to know other peoples’ stories and their “why”. God was using food as a way for me to enter into conversations with others, fellowship with them and co-create with them meals that truly are a healthy blessing.

In March 2019 Sinead Dumas and her sister Katrina Graves contacted me. They are two sisters-in-Christ who have similar passions for food and health. I began a business with them where I can share my cooking skills and they can share their lifestyle and vegan dishes.

We began to develop a page where we could share recipes, review vegan food options and off-the-shelf health products that are available at three of the biggest food shops in Australia like Walmart. This also includes marketing for other businesses and food products while sharing the Bible all at the same time. This is exactly what the taste of blessed needed to be for us three food lovers! From that moment a joint business venture has grown – The Why and The Way.

THE OUTCOME

My passion is to see others gain a healthier mind and body – a better version in all aspects of this wonderful journey we call LIFE. Together in unity, lets create a culture, let’s make a difference for our future sons and daughters, mothers and fathers and let’s set the standard. Let’s make it happen now. By knowing the why (how to achieve it) and knowing the way (the path)! We really want to help others find simple ways to do life without feeling like it’s a burden to get the balance right. It can also help you find your identity and purpose in life.

As I mentioned earlier, that taste of blessed really started to become more evident to me once I laid down my own life for Jesus and began to do His kingdom work here on earth.

As Matthew 14:18-20 says;

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

This particular scripture speaks volumes to me as someone who lived a worldly life for so long and then found the richness of making God my Lord just over two years ago. I’ve come to understand that he is the ultimate provider and one true King [of my life] who wants to restore the lost, broken and fatherless. We need to do His work in any way we can. For my life His calling has been through cooking and bringing unity through meaningful meals – breaking bread with others.

God reminds me of three important things:

1. There is no one but Him.
2. My family is my priority.
3. There is still so much to be done within my own community, through unity.

My passion is to see others gain a healthier mind and body, in all areas while on this journey. Through The Why and The Way we really are trying to create a new culture within our community around healthy lifestyle and making an eternally-minded choice to choose Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. I’m pleased to be able to share through Faith & Fitness Magazine a recipe that is a favorite with me here in the Gold Coast.

R E C I P E :

NEAD’S FAMOUS TROPICAL BLUE SMOOTHIE BOWL

As a chef I love to share healthy recipes with others. Anything that is both quick and super healthy for my boys and me always ranks high on my list of must-share recipes. I have been fortunate enough to have only the best, like Sinead Dumas teach me how to make these delicious Tropical Blue Smoothie Bowls which you can find on our Instagram, The Why and The Way.

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen pineapple
• 1 cup frozen mango
• 1 cup of frozen banana
• ¾ cup coconut milk
• Juice of one lemon
• 2 teaspoons of blue spirulina (e3Live)

Makes

2 smoothie bowls

Steps

1. Place all frozen ingredients into a bowl
2. Slowly blend together adding in liquids as you blend. The smoothie mixture should be nice and thick like ice cream/ soft serve texture.
3. Place your favourite granola into the bottom of two bowls
4. Slowly place the thick smoothie bowl mix into the two bowls
5. Place on your favourite toppings like coconut flakes, berries and more granola.

All Done! Now enjoy.

Get more healthy eating ideas, recipes and unique nutritional content from the many other articles in our Nutrition Department.

This article appears in the October/November 2020 issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine, which focuses on the theme “consumed”.  Post a Facebook comment below AND in your other social media post your own picture and thoughts about what it means to be totally consumed with a passion for God.  Be sure to include the hashtag #dailydevotionaddsup

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