Deuteronomy 8:6-8 Observe the commands of the LORD your GOD, walking in HIS ways and revering HIM. For the LORD your GOD is bringing you into a good land---a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey…. [New International Translation]
Summary
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Christian Bible and also the fifth book of the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch. Pentateuch refers to the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). The word “Pentateuch” comes from two Greek words---“pente” which means five. “Penta” is the Greek prefix. “Teuchus” means books of volumes. Generally, the Pentateuch refers to “The Five Books of Moses,” which according to Jewish traditions constitutes Judaism’s legal and ethical religious text. See, www.wikipedia.org. “Deuteronomy” is a Latin derivation of a Greek word meaning “second law.” Deuteronomy is a second statement by Moses of GOD’s law. It is a restatement or a recounting of the law. In Deuteronomy the people renewed their covenant contract with GOD. It is a reminder how much GOD had done for HIS people. Some of the good foods that GOD provided HIS people included wheat, barley, grape vines, fig trees, pomegranates, honey and olive oil.
Olive Oil v. Butter (and other unhealthy fats)
According to Jane Borchers, MPH, RD, Dietitian, Preventive Cardiology Clinic, Stanford Hospital and Clinic, “all fats are not alike.” Some fats are good for you and essential to good health and other fats can create negative effects on a person’s cardiovascular health. Olive Oil is a monounsaturated fat and one of the good fats. Other monounsaturated fats include:
Vegetable oils: olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil
Nuts: almonds, cashew, peanuts, pecans, pistachios
Avocado
Peanut butter and almond butter
Some of the fats that can have negative health effects are saturated fats and trans fats. According to Borcher these fats should be “avoided or eaten sparingly.”
Saturated fats include:
Fatty cuts of beef, pork and lamb
Poultry skin, chicken wings, dark meat chicken
High fat dairy products: cheese, butter, whole milk, 2% reduced fat milk,
Cream, cream cheese, sour cream, ice cream
Tropical oils, coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, cocoa butter,
Lard
Trans fats include:
Stick margarine and some tub margarines
Vegetable shortening (e.g. Crisco)
Fried Foods: doughnuts, French fries, other deep fried fast foods items
Commercially prepared foods containing partially hydrogenated oils: crackers,
Cookies, cakes, pastries, microwave popcorn and other snack foods.
See, “Good Fats, Bad Fats,” by Jane Borchers, MPH, RD, Dietitian, Preventive Cardiology Clinic, Stanford Hospital and Clinic.
Mayo Health Preventative Medicine Specialist, Dr. Donald Hensrud has noted that monounsaturated fats such as those found in olive oil may lower your total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and they “may also help normalize blood clotting.” In addition, according to Hensrud:
[S]ome research shows that MUFAs [monounsaturated fats] may also benefit insulin
levels and blood sugar control, which can be especially helpful if you have type 2 diabetes.
See, “Olive Oil: What Are The Health Benefits?” by Donald Hensrud, MD, www.mayoclinic.com.
As always, if you have been diagnosed with a medical condition, consult your personal physician about your dietary concerns or about making dietary changes. Both Jane Borcher and Dr. Hensrud caution that eating too much fat of all types can add excess calories, lead to weight gain or negative consequences. Dr. Hensrud notes that even healthier fats, like olive oil, should be used in moderation and used instead of and not in addition to other fats such as butter and margarine. As Dr. Hensrud states, “you can’t make unhealthy food healthier simply by adding olive oil.” See, Donald Hensrud, MD at www.mayoclinic.com.
Renew/Restate/Remember
How often have you found yourself eating a food on your “bad foods list” or failed to follow through on a healthier (spiritual or physical) plan of action? We can renew our dedication to eat healthier today. Today, we begin again!
Today, let us renew our commitment to GOD to treat our bodies (and our minds) as temples of GOD’s HOLY SPIRIT. (1 Corinthians 6:19). Let’s restate our goals to strive for greater physical and spiritual fitness. Let us remind ourselves that “nothing is impossible with GOD.” (Luke 1:37) Let’s remember the promises of GOD---including that HE will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). But, let’s not forget to do our part!
We are all in this together (with GOD). Remember and BE BLESSED---again!
