I'm Very Fortunate, Unfortunately...

"I wish I would get headaches after eating Chinese food!" This is what I jokingly said to a friend the other day. I've been contemplating this ever since. I really think I would be better off if I had more short-term consequences for my actions that are sure to catch up to me in the long-term. I need more motivation to make healthy decisions.

In many materials I've read about the health effects of MSG (monosodium glutamate or free glutamic acid), I've seen this repeated referral to the headaches "most people get" after eating Chinese food (from the MSG). I do not get these headaches. I do not know why I have the great fortune of occasionally indulging in less than ideal food choices without discequence. I do not doubt my long-term health is affected. It is just difficult to stay motivated when considering only the future.

I feel very blessed to have experienced great health in my life despite so many bad choices. I would really like to make more changes before my bad habits catch up to me. And before I go more public with my health crusade and am seen as someone who doesn't walk her talk.

I have come a long way. I know I seem like the healthiest eater to many people in my life. (My kids will soon be old enough to rat me out and question why I eat so many things that they aren't allowed to.)

I am thankful I no longer have the digestive issues I had my entire life before children; I suppose that has been my biggest health challenge. "IBS" they called it. (I put that in quotes because I don't believe it's a real medical condition apart from the result some people experience from their artificial foods.) But one hot chocolate made with processed milk (like at Caribou) and it's back.

I grew up with an average amount of headaches and now I get zero. Unless I consume refined sugar. I considered myself healthy growing up, having an average amount of sick days from school and work. But now I've been sick only twice in the last 5 years. One really bad cold, one case of strep. Now figure in morning sickcness, and that's a whole 'nother story!

But a rare sickness, headache or stomach ache is just not providing enough motivation for me to stop indulging in a temptation like caramel apple cider with whipped cream and a cream cheese pumpkin bar last night. Yes I have a stomach ache today. But put another pumpkin bar in front of me and it will be gone in ten seconds.

I suppose I'll get motivated after I'm done nursing. After all, I know how to get rid of cramps finally, and I'll have plenty of baby fat cells crying out "Stop feeding us! We're done helping you make milk!"

I can't explain why I've been blessed with my health. Perhaps it is God's grace, to allow me to spread His message of health, despite my frequent mess-ups. I know there are others out there that have different genetic susceptibilities than me whose bodies aren't so kind to their indiscretions.

Lord, I thank you for my abundant health. Please help me to never take this for granted, but to continue offering my body your temple as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to you - a spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)