My dad...He was ALWAYS into fitness... long before it was "in" to be fit!
Before he went into the ministry, he tried out for the St.Louis Cardinals Baseball team, but ended up going to seminary instead of playing baseball...
All through his years of ministry and travels, he ate right. He flew into new countries with different weather patterns, and temperatures, and he knew it would be wise to be 'built up' and fueled in his own system, by eating wisely.
He studied food and nutrition, even carried Adele Hunt's book 'Let's Eat Right To Keep Fit" in his heavy book briefcase, on his flights, right alongside his Bible and other Godly books.
Along with those books, he nearly always carried a few ripe bananas and other fruit, and maybe some nuts, to snack on during his flight. To this day, even though we laughed about it then in our youthful ignorance, I never pass a bin of bananas in the store without thinking of dad and his bananas!
He tried... he REALLY tried... to teach the 3 of us kids about healthy eating...
One time at the L.A.County Fair, he bought one of the first electric blenders we had ever seen, they were doing a demonstration as we walked by. He was so thrilled. That night we all wanted a 7-up when we got home, he said we could have the 7-up AFTER we drank the first concoction out of that blender. We all groaned. He filled that thing with fresh vegetables of every kind, and added ice and water. It was a disgusting color and we held our noses as we drank it!...Then we had our 7-up.
Once my brother dreamed that my dad was in the pulpit preaching, with vigor... but his words were all about fruits and vegetables and vitamins! We all laughed at the dream, as it was a possibility if you knew my dad. Fortunately, prayer and revival always trumped healthy eating for him, so we never saw that happen.
I wish he could know now how many times I have thought of the way he carefully made sure he ate the right foods... 'live foods', he called them. While we all 3 teased him during those years, we have all found out that he was right on the money!
Health and fitness, a man before his time! I'm sure working at it now dad...
"An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth; fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies." (Prov.15:14 MSG)
from Is: 55... "Why do you spend your money on junk food, your hard-earned cash on cotton candy? Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest."
P.S.... If you want a good hearty laugh, head over to Marsha's blog "Health Nut or Just a Nut??" ...
17 comments:
What a nice tribute to your Dad. That he tried to eat healthy, when I imagine everything was made with mayonnaise,potato chips and jello.
My Dad was a produce man and we never had fruit unless it didn't sell, that was how I first had broccoli. I bet you are really healthy now. It is nice that you can walk by a stand of bananas and be reminded of your Dad.
Very sweet story.
How wonderful that he taught this to you at such a young age. We had one of those first electric blenders too, but you know what my dad whipped up on them? GIANT malted ice cream drinks. Oh my they were sooo good. haha. I am thinking I would have been MUCH better off with the veggie drinks. Have a wonderful day!
Oh Sonja, what a timely message for me. I am struggling to get off extra pounds and your post is just what I needed to hear.....It was an encouragement ....
It's great that your Dad taught you this early as it is very hard to change old habits......
Hugs and blessings,
I laughed right out loud about the sermon on vegetables. I'm still doing that thing where you chuckle silently while your shoulders go up and down.
That hit my funny bone for some reason.
On a serious note, your dad left you wonderful legacies both spiritually and physically. How many children have been so blessed?
Also, I left a comment there, but I also wanted to tell you that I just found your note with the link. I had missed it earlier. I love that story. It gave me goose bumps and was like something out of a good Christian romance novel.
Only it's TRUE. How wonderful is that. Thank you so much for showing me. It was long before I "knew" you so I would have missed it completely.
Sonja - I've not been able to leave a comment on your blog for the past couple of days. But I'll try again.
Wonderful testimony about your dad.
What a great dad! My sons gave me a Juicer by Jack LaLane a couple of years ago. I haven't used it enough. You've inspired me to dig it out again! My husband is currently trying "The Paleo Diet" - yes, he's eating like a caveman - but feeling so much better!
I think Fruits and Vegetables is the way to go - even in our dreams!!
GOD BLESS!
Dear Sonja,
I deleted my previous comment to rewrite what I have said about the benefits of eating a banana a day.
It is truly amazing that your dad walked his talk in the area of health. A person that truly desires to grow spiritually mature also takes care of being healthy physically.
In our country, bananas are readily available, in many forms and varieties. At nearly any corner store in any neighborhood throughout our islands, bananas can be bought. There are cheap kinds, and there are the more expensive gourmet bananas.
The saying is true, a banana a day keeps the doctor away.
Bananas are good to keep your heart, lungs, and brains healthy. Did you know that it is called the happy fruit? Because it contains a large amount of Vitamin B6 and the amino acid tryptophan - both of which somehow help increase serotonin levels in the brain... which is so important in giving our bodies a feeling of well being.
Amazing what a simple banana can do. One or two bananas everyday upon waking up each morning before breakfast is the best way to eat this fruit.
So you are right, your dad was a health buff before it was in to be health conscious.
I also enjoyed the post you wrote before this one.
Thank you for sharing the many lovely memories you have of your mom and dad!
Love
Lidj
Oh I love your Dad. I have always wanted that Vita-Mix blender and dream of becoming a health nut...notice dream, I am still trying.
Once again what a legacy...and yes, before health nut was cool.
I have been drinking the green smoothies from Debbie's blog, then my teen broke my blender...what can a girl do?....well use my food processor.
Have a great weekend...hot here!!!
I've been trying to do better...focus on the word 'trying'. :)
I have been developing a better attitude toward eating well. I have given up breads and fatty foods. I have even given up ice cream , in favor of fruit smoothies made in a blender. God has given us so many deliscious fruits and veggies to enjoy!
Blessings~
Dear Sonja,
What true and thorough a rolemodel your Dad was.
I admire that, live like you preach.
Gunnar and I talked about the old Deadly Sins the other day.
They must have been made to fit for people of wealth and resources; the common poor people of the Mediaeval ages simply couldn't afford them.
I looked them up, they were; wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.
Gluttony are killing more people today than traffic and wars combined.
It may only be superseded by the silent death; famine.
How rich you are to carry further your father's legacy.
How rich I am, to sit at your feet.
From felisol
Oh, my Dad is now 81, always been a "health nut" and is a retired minister. How funny is that! He has always taken the best of care of himself and he is now reaping the benefits of that. I try very hard myself to live a healthy lifestyle and while it is certainly better than most, it could stand to be even better. Enjoyed this post!
My dad was somewhat of a health nut too. Maybe it has something to do with living in California and being influenced by the king of the fitness gurus... Jack LaLanne. My sister used to say that "health nuts" don't live any longer than the rest of us... it just seems a lot longer :-)
see, a Godly man is also wise! i try to eat as many live
foods as possible, and i have tried to raise the dead in
my twinkies.
remember when healthy eaters used to be called 'grape
nuts?'
how are you liking this 100 degree weather? gulp.
Dearest Sonja,
Your father was RIGHT! MY DADDY taught me through example also!!All through his life and mine, he was never heavy, always enjoyed what he loved in moderation, EXCEPT for the cigarettes. At 82, he still looked MARVELOUS up until lung cancer struck. But he taught me that I needed to eat my fruits and vegetables DAILY. For about 30 years now, I have not eaten any junk food and only foods that I am sure YOUR DAD would have approved of! So it really is true that you are what you take in. THANK YOU FOR COMING TO VISIT ME and for your enthusiasm. MERCI BIEN SONJA! Anita
Fruits and vegetables are so good for us. I can say that after many years working as a cardiovascular nurse. I had to teach heart attack patients to eat healthier. Your dad was ahead of his time, that's for sure. Such wisdom!
Love,
Debbie
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