KNIFING FORCEFULLY at your COLON

Touring with a band can cut your life expectancy short by staggering percentages. But it isn’t the lack of sleep, dangerous overnight drives, or the mystery stains on hotel comforters that will do you in.

No, touring will kill you slowly and mercilessly by a much more covert means:

Death by lethal (fast food) ingestion.

Alas, in rushing from city to city to make load-in times (along with trying to steal every last second of much-needed sleep) dietary concerns inevitably take a back seat. And meal choices are usually dictated by which chain restaurants are offered near truckstops/gas stations along the highway to your next show.

I have eaten countless McNuggets, Whoppers, and Frosties over the last fourteen years.

But recently I have started changing my ways.

For reasons I will explain in a moment, I have begun to take my food choices a bit more seriously. And for that reason, finding eats on the road has become trench warfare.

Today we were running late to a show in Indiana, outside Indianapolis. There really weren’t many options for food along the way, of course, yet the entire band was starving for lunch. So, we stopped at the only “restaurant” for miles – KFC.

I put the word “restaurant” in quotes because, in case you didn’t know, KFC stands for KNIFING FORCEFULLY at your COLON.

Anyway, while were waiting in line to order I was severely torn. On one hand there was my ravenous hunger. On the other hand there was my fervent disdain for CANCER, along with the value I place on my stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, gall bladder, circulatory system, heart, skin, endocrine system, brain and therefore, my existence. So I did what any normal citizen with common sense would do: I asked the lady behind the counter for nutrition information.

You would think I had twenty sticks of dynamite strapped to my chest and I just ordered the cashier to empty the register.

All the Knifing Forcefully at your Colon employees stopped working to stare at the insane- earth-loving-hippie-disguised-as-the-rocker-dude standing at the register (that’s me, in case you were not clear on this). My bandmates gawked at me. The people in line behind me grunted and sighed. Then, the cashier let out a groan and disappeared into a closet. Seconds turned to minutes. I heard metal clanging, loud crashing, large cooking appliances being overturned. I heard live chickens squawking and lots and lots of cursing.

Nine minutes later the girl emerged, clothing torn and tattered, hair looking Doc Brown-esque, panting, handing me a dusty, discolored document that looked more like a pirate treasure map than a nutrition pamphlet.

I tried my best to show gratitude, despite the fact that I had already been labeled a terrorist by everyone in the place.

Then I began to study the list. Did you know one KFC Extra Crispy chicken breast contains 510 calories, 33 grams of fat (7g saturated), and over 1000 grams of sodium? That’s ONE piece. In fact, there was very little on the list that I could have eaten in good conscience, let alone without the resulting stomach cramps that would certainly follow.

I decided on one grilled chicken wrap, while my other band members gorged on multi-course meals with calorie counts in the multiple thousands.

And I left Knifing Forcefully at your Colon still hungry…

I didn’t always care about what I put into my body. Like most Americans, I followed the crowd in my food selection for most of my life. I basically ate and drank whatever I felt like (or whatever looked tasty at the time).

But then I met my wife, who has a very serious intestinal disorder called Celiac Disease. This changed everything. And I am very thankful it did.

Celiac Disease is an intolerance to gluten, which is a preservative/thickening agent that is used in 99% of the food we eat. It is found in almost every form of processed food and in almost every dish served in restaurants. If my wife eats food that contains gluten she becomes very ill, and for several days. Therefore, she can no longer eat processed foods, fast food, or most food at regular grocery stores. Basically, she is reduced to eating foods in their natural state, or cooking every meal at home to control the ingredients. She has also begun grocery shopping solely at health food stores for gluten-free food options and organic produce.

Because I am a supportive/awesome husband, I too have adopted this lifestyle. And every aspect of my health has improved drastically.

When you start investigating what goes into the food we consume in this country, it is like pulling a thread on a sweater. Only, when you pull it, not only does the sweater unravel, but it reveals that the guy wearing said sweater is not a human at all; Underneath is a zombie corpse of maggots and worms, kind of like Oogie Boogie in A Nightmare before Christmas.

Believe me, I have ALWAYS been the guy that makes fun of the vegan/organic/earth/ hippie people that work at Whole Foods. I have since become like them in many ways, simply by doing objective research about food. And I definitely don’t mean to preach here, because I know how important food is to all of us and I know how annoying the earth agenda can be sometimes. But I can’t ignore some of the facts I have learned as late:

*Europe has banned ALL beef imports from the US due to our unhealthy practices including antibiotic use. 28 million pounds of antibiotics are used on livestock each year. One of the antibiotics used contains significant amounts of the most carcinogenic form of arsenic. Daily exposure to low doses of arsenic can cause cancer, dementia, neurological problems, and other ailments in humans.

*According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, If you drink two or more carbonated soft drinks and/or sugary “fruit” drinks a day, your chance of developing type 2 diabetes goes up 25-30%. In the past 10 years, soft drink consumption among children has almost doubled in the United States. Teenage boys now drink, on average, three or more cans of soda per day. Teenage girls consume more than two cans a day.

*Studies have shown the link between refined sugar and/or high fructose corn syrup and a plethora of different cancers. In fact, all cancers actually feed on refined/white sugar!

* Some children with autism who adhere to a gluten-free/casein free diet show a significant decrease in symptoms.

*The National Cancer Institute states that 35% of all cancer cases have a nutritional connection.

*Diabetes now affects over 18 million adults. Poor diet and obesity are two known causes of this ailment, which now claims the lives of four million people per year.

*Most of us know by now that there are serious health risks to being overweight and obese, which for many people is a result of poor nutrition. These risks include heart disease, liver disease, stroke, arthritis, and many others.

*Thyroid disorders and other autoimmune dysfunction has been linked to gluten consumption, along with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease.

*The “anti-cancer daily diet” can actually help prevent hormone-dependant cancers such as breast, ovary, uterine, and prostate. This diet includes foods rich in antioxidants, fiber and isoflavones. Examples include fresh blueberries, tomatoes, garlic, carrots, broccoli and onions.

And that is, literally, just the tip of the iceberg…

It seems that old adage is true…you really ARE what you EAT. The things we put into our bodies have a huge bearing on the length and quality of our lives. There is no way around this.

And the most healthy way to consume food is in the natural state that God made it. Organic. Hormone, preservative, and pesticide free. Raw, if possible. Isn’t that interesting?

Now, I am the type of person who likes to get to the core of things and look at the big picture. And for that reason, I will tell you that this blog isn’t really about telling you what you should or shouldn’t be eating.

The fact is, our consumer, capitalistic culture has birthed a specific mindset in all of us toward food: taste, convenience, and shelf-life are more important than nutritional value. But the tradeoff is our very health. What tastes great in our mouths is very sour in our stomachs, quite literally.

God didn’t create food for our tastebuds, first and foremost. Just like he didn’t create sex just to feel good. He created it for nourishment and energy. We have distorted the very function of it in the name of big business and convenience.

The Bible tells us that everything in the world is in a state of decay because of sin. Every living thing dies. Even our plants–the peppers in our gardens and the apples on our trees–bear the thumbprint of this decay. Fresh fruit will only stay fresh for a few days as it sits waiting to be eaten on our countertops. Produce will only last about a week in our refrigerators before it must be eaten or discarded.

So, mankind tries to find a way to preserve the life of food, just like he tries to delay mortality through medical technology and other types of invention. But the more we try to escape death and decay, the more we kill ourselves in the process.

There really is no way to preserve life, save one. Death is certain because of sin, unless you believe in Christ.

Then, and only then, can we live forever.

Isn’t it amazing that even a discussion of food can lead us back to the cross? I believe everything in this world will lead us back to that one, ultimate act of love if we are willing to dig deep enough…

Incidentally, on this tour I have been saving tons of cash by avoiding fast food and snack stops. I can count the times I have eaten at these places on one hand. Instead, I stocked up on some great organic foods from my local health food store before I left town. I have a stockpile of Larabars, dried organic fruits, organic trail mix, and nuts. I have eaten a bit less, but it also means I am avoiding the dreaded tour gut. And lo and behold–I feel like a different human being! I actually have energy, my brain works, and I am not a Grinch to be around…

So call me a hippie. I don’t mind.

For added reading:

www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm
www.foodincmovie.com
www.doctoroz.com
www.sustainabletable.org/issues/hormones/
http://www.goveg.com/contamination.asp
thyroid.about.com/cs/latestresearch/a/celiac.htm
www.celiac.com

March 13, 2010 · Other · 36 Comments

Daniel

The Archives of Internal Medicine is wrong about that second point. It is not sugar that causes diabetes 2 it is obese that have a greater risk (they tend to eat more sugar though, but it is the fact that someone is obese)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=720086873&ref=ts#!/brian.lanham Brian

…I am glad you wrote this. About 5 years ago my father passed away from colon cancer. I believe it was because of poor choices of food consumption. My mother recently found out she had a thyroid problem, so decided to go to al all natural Doctor. They had her on a non gluten, all organic diet. My mother lost 70lbs just because of the way she changed her diet. She is more active, and has more energy. She now buys nothing but organic foods. Food Inc. woke her up to a lot of horrible things that we are putting in our body. I am thankful that she lectures me on a weekly basis.

Although I do not eat 100% organic, I have quit eating most of all fast foods, with only few times I do when on the road, and have no food. (no excues right?) haha.

Thanks again for writing this. It is always good to hear of people chosing to better themselves.
JJ

I would advise people to be a bit cautious about “medical” findings on the internet and food. For instance, yes, cancer cells do need sugar, but so does every other cell in your body. Gluten is a natural protein found in wheat. If you eat whole wheat or wheat from the field, you will get gluten. Type 2 diabetes is most strongly linked to excess weight and too little exercise, leading to too much sugar in the bloodstream and the body's cells becoming insensitive to insulin. Cross check things against reliable medical journals by searching Pubmed or Medline (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/). Knowledge is a weapon, just make sure you get the full story and not a press release designed to generate headlines. For those wondering, I am a scientist, trained in molecular biology/biochemistry and have a strong dislike for science by press release.
Jordan

Righto. I'm not going to lie and say this is the reason I went vegan because I went vegan due to the fact that eating cooked flesh grossed me out. But I will say that I am very pleased that a vegan diet keeps me safe from all of the preservatives and additives of meat. And no, I'm not one of those people who condescends other people for eating meat. All I try to tell them is that if they're going to eat dairy and / or meat, they should eat free-range meat. You know, the type of meat that isn't injected with antibiotics, preservatives, and additives. I would like to thank your wife for having a hand in changing your eating habits. This can only mean another ten years of you touring with your band and your spoken word.
Rebecca Musser

Well, I didn't know much of this information, so thanks for letting me know! I was at the Franklin show and it was by far the best Project 86 show I've ever been to. I told you after the show that the energy was remarkable. When I said this, I wasn't just talking about the crowd, the band was included. Honestly, the quality of your performance seemed to have improved quite a bit since the last time I saw you. I'm certain your change in diet played some role in this upgrade! Keep up the good work, Andrew!

P.S. I recently noticed how everything can be brought back to the cross, so it's kind of cool that you mentioned that!
http://www.tommyloveland.com Tommy Loveland

Awesome read!! Thanks for the inspiration. So excited your blog is up and running. Here is a writing in my book Poetic Truths: Dare to Enter…Inspired by Andrew Schwab. I thought you would like it… check it out.

FOOD POISON
It all started when I sat down to eat
So many choices and I was starving,
Fine wines that sparkled,
The food looked delicious.
And the scenery was beautiful!
Soon I was full but still hungry,
So I tried the dessert.
And had more than I should,
Then I could not resist the wine
And I had plenty
Then they brought me the bill
And I went to go pay,
As I walked up front I noticed something,
Things looked different.
Not the same when I came in,
It was darker and not as pleasing,
Then my stomach got sour
And I felt I had to vomit
But I couldn’t. I got in line to pay
And the line was really long,
I asked the man in front of me
What was going on?
He said “don't you know “
I said not really,
“No one in this line has anything to pay with”
What!!! Well it looks like we’re moving,
How are people getting out without paying!
“I don't know maybe there letting us eat for free”.
Finally I had made it to the front,
And they asked me, “DO YOU KNOW HIM?”
I said know who, I am here to pay!
They said, “ONLY ONE CAN PAY!”
“AND ONLY ONE CAN SAVE!”
“SO IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HIM,”
“THEN TODAY IS YOUR DAY,”
“THAT YOU ROT IN YOUR GRAVE… NEXT IN LINE!!!! “

-TL
http://twitter.com/elscorcho86 bill

i have been a vegetarian (with vegan tendencies) for 4 years now. i have stopped going to most fast food joints and as a result, feel much more agile and alive. i appreciate hearing your thoughts on these matters.
sarahschultz

No offense Mr. JJ molecular biology/biochemistry scientist guy but much of the wheat farmed in the U.S. has become more and more hybrid to create bigger, faster rising breads, etc. thus making it harder and harder to digest. No human digests gluten easily and that is a fact. It's glue-like—glue. Its no wonder why so many people deal with gluten sensitivity. I have struggled with Celiac for years and I am tired of “doctors” and “scientists” who are not educated on the subject blasting people for trying to find answers for themselves to try and get better. After misdiagnosing me for 15 years I finally figured out my problem and the doctor who was convinced I had IBS had to relent. Also I know is when my father was diagnosed with cancer the first thing they had him cut was white sugar..

Good for you Schwab for talking about the need for healthy eating.
Rebecca Solanas

I am a nutritionist and wanted to offer some more information on gluten.

Gluten is the elastic, water-insoluble protein found in wheat and other grains such as rye, barley, kamut, spelt and oats. It is also found in a surprising number of products on supermarket shelves. Gluten is used as a thickener and binder in thousands of such products as soups, sauces (including soy sauce), candy, artificial cheese, pharmaceuticals and even envelope glue. In the typical Western diet, wheat is the primary source.

No one digests gluten quickly, but in Celiac Disease the persistence of gluten is a huge problem because it allows a flawed immune response to go on for days, resulting in a reduction in the intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients. This, in turn, can cause diarrhea, weight loss, weight gain, headaches, skin rashes, brain fog, depression, sleep disorders, bloating and abdominal distention, mood disorders, anemia, bone disorders, and many other serious problems. Two amino acids, proline and glutamine, are prevalent in gluten molecules and the digestive tract lacks enzymes that can break down the bonds they form. Failure to digest the bonds linking these amino acids on the gluten protein essentially prevents the body from breaking down gluten into harmlessly small pieces.

A gluten free diet is the only way to control this disease and although its difficult and requires discipline to follow..it can eliminate symptoms in most people with Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.
http://twitter.com/joshuabarnett joshua barnett

Andrew,

I enjoyed this post. You took it in a direction I wasn't expecting and I'm glad. I'll definitely subscribe. I look forward to reading how you interpret life through the lens of your faith. I truly agree that the Cross of Christ and Him crucified should be central to our worldview. I love to see Christ come through even in a discussion about food preservatives. Good job.

Josh

http://www.themusingsofanamericanincanada.blogs…
http://iamjakz.blogspot.com/ Jaklyn

If we all took a few seconds to think about what we were putting into our bodies, we might make some changes-that aren't even that painful!.. (and so much more beneficial!) Thanks for the reminder to try to live healthier, to fuel our bodies appropriately and to think bigger.

And for the record, I don't think of you as a hippie after reading this. But you'd definately fit in well here in Eugene, OR.
http://twitter.com/RosaFatalis Jukebox Judea

Thanks for this entertaining and informative blog. I really admire your writing and look forward to reading future posts… Also: nice Nightmare Before Christmas reference. It made me giggle.

It's so amazing to me that you made that connection between food and the cross. I keep finding more and more people [myself included] who find it difficult to not compartmentalize their lives in terms of “my hobbies are over here, over there is my job/schoolwork, there go my necessities prancing over yonder, and that over there is my faith as a Christian.” To be able to relate everything back to Christ must be an amazing thing… And that's something that I've been striving for recently.

Again, thank you.
mark

so no more wings or quake and steak huh?
Liana

so relatable. my mom was a health food freak so i always grew up shunning the fast food places and the snack food isle at the grocery store. i have been a vegetarian since i was 8(darn dirty hippie! haha) its depressing how many people kill themselves with what they eat. i'm so glad that my favorite artist has taken the red pill in this matter. keep it real, brother!
Kent

LOVE it. Love IT. Thanks for writing this!
jj

No blasting intended on my part. Having my own set of uncommon medical issues, I fully understand that doctors and scientists need to listen to those with the conditions so they can learn something. Celiac disease is deadly serious. My comment was solely directed at the somewhat generic statements linking complex medical diseases of many causes to one common nutritional ingredient. All I'm saying is to do your own research, make friends with a doctor or scientist to bounce ideas off of, and to not rely on internet blogs and news items as the sole source of health info. Some of us have no agenda or interest in titles or privilege based on silly letters after our names, and may even be next to you at a P86/FF56 show in the near future…

All that being said, Mr. Schwab hit the nail on the head when he got to the “core of things”.
Jess

I just started this sort of lifestyle changes for myself! I have been a vegetarian for about 10 years now, but I ate a lot of processed foods/pop/whatever tasted best…then I started reading about food, and all the different health problems that can occur when you live on a diet like mine (and I had a few of those health problems already, ick) Now that I've been eating 'real'/fresh food – I find I now crave it more than the junk I used to eat. My body knows the difference and isn't happy when I feed it empty foods.

Also, I completely understand what you were saying about how you used to make fun of those 'hippie' types – I used to enjoy the fact that I ate horribly, and thought it was silly how the 'hippie/health freaks' made such a big deal about what chemicals were put into foods, etc….then I did my own research, and for health reasons, decided I needed to be just like them. Lol, that was probably the hardest part in making the change – having to own up to the fact that they had it right, and I had it wrong.
Jesse

I think one of the biggest hindrances to many people eating right in our society is the exorbitant cost of “healthy” foods. Oh, I know and I can hear the cat-calls, “It costs less than a doctor or death!” Perhaps, but I find that most people who promote the more expensive foods tend to have fewer children, or make significantly more money. I say this not to knock them, it is great that they can afford the expensive, healthier food and I in no way begrudge them this ability. However, when one is on a tight budget and have to stretch every dollar as far as it can go, Whole Foods in NOT the place to shop for a family of four, five, six, or more unless. I would love to make places like Whole Foods my only grocery stop, but the reality is that, especially in this violently assaulted economy, it is simply not wise for me to do so, and since we are also called to be good stewards with our funds (and by extension take care of our families) the choice is relatively simple.

Fast food, on the other hand, is a lazy choice. One that I make from time to time, I admit, but it is always due to laziness.

Those of you who can make healthy foods your only foods, good for you, seriously. I sincerely wish I had the same ability, but circumstances hold me back. For my own part, I try to make more food from scratch and I am mindful of my ingredients to the extent I can be. My point? Tell the world how great these types of diets are, support them, continue doing them, but be sure that your passion does not turn into condescending dogma, which I hear a lot of living in the Pacific Northwest from the the bark-eating, no deodorant using, anti-showering types.

One last clarification: Mr. Schwab did not take this tone and I have not seen it in any posts hear, but I know how quickly enthusiasm can turn to aggression, and aggression to degradation, so it is more of a caution to those who are passionate about a very important and worthy topic.
shawnwilson

Andrew,
I have a friend that is also dealing with Celiac. He has since started a bakery here in Baton Rouge called, “Truly Free Bakery” It's food that is made totally gluten free. They also ship orders. You can check them out on their website:

http://www.trulyfreebakery.com/

Much love bro and I look forward to the day when you guys come to Cajun country!!
kevindmason

Good word, hippie.

I moved to Colorado last year and everyone seems to more concerned and thoughtful about their health here. It's cool, and has rubbed off on me too. Just finished a long run, and now I'm eating clementines (though I still have ice cream from time to time!).

Kudos on avoiding the tour gut! It's hard to be inspired by an out-of-shape front man.
yoitsadrian

Andrew,

What up this is Adrian from Power FM in Dallas.
This is incredible and really insightful! I am going to share this with my fiancee. She is a health promotion and nutrition person and will probably find this really interesting.
Anonymous

I have seen many foods at Whole Foods (AKA WHole Paycheck – I love that store), as well as many foods at Trader Joes that have a lot of preservatives and chemicals and plant proteins that cause me and many other people to get sick…we are talking about non-meat items at that. Watch out for Sodium Benzoate, HYdrolyzed Yeast protein, Guar Gm, Acacia Gum, and other chemicals made with plant proteins, and make people sick.
Check out http://truthinlabeling.org for more info.
perraith

I am going to sign up for this just because I like Project 86 that much and Andrew, you are a very big influence on my life. Perhaps too big of an influence. Not God-hood but pretty darn close to speaking as though you are simply another mouth He uses. Which is in all possibility what you are and what we should all aspire to be. I have been living on my own for about eight years now and with money just about gone by the time the month is up I have to curb my fast food desires too. One time I volunteered at a rodeo in Elensburg (worst decision of my life that I find myself repeating for 4 years now) and I ate so much of the food we cooked that I got sick of fast food. Later when my dollar lost it's weight I decided, hm God actually did me a favor making me sick of fast food. Now adays, I eat out once a month (twice if someone else is treating) and it's teriyaki or Subway. Not the healthiest but way higher up on the food chain then KFC (Knifing Forcibly at your Colon, haha! I'm totally going to quote that from now on). I'm amazed at how much money I've saved. I don't even drink pop as of Feburary 2010. Was buying maybe 12 cans a YEAR before hand so I thought, eh may as well cut it out. It really is amazing how disgusting some of the food we eat is. I am by no means a health fantatic yet but just by cutting out all that crap I save money, eat healthy and feel better. Good blog Andrew, I'm sorry for missing your concert in Seattle, I totally should have gone but mixed up the dates and I just don't know how to get into Seattle now (no car ) Thank you so much for making good music and these thoughtful blogs. I really appreciate your honesty. I'm finding more and more that singers, especially of the Christian variety, are more in touch with reality then people give them props for; I hope the very best for you and your wife and family.

Peace

Ja Mata

-Perraith
http://choklitblog.blogspot.com/ Violet

Wow… very interesting! I also used to be one of those people who ate whatever was convenient and tasted good, but when I started culinary school last fall, I took a nutrition class [part of which was watching "Food, Inc."... watch it, if you haven't] and I completely changed my diet. I actually started reading labels when I went to the grocery store and stopped eating so much fast food, and I got one of those iPhone apps with all the nutritional info for a bunch of fast food “restaurants” just in case I ended up there.
I never thought much about the way I ate when I was younger, because everyone in my family is just somehow naturally skinny. I thought if I didn't get fat, there couldn't be a problem. But once I found out what I was actually putting in my body, I realized I was putting myself at risk for all kinds of things I don't want to deal with or die from. As Christians, our bodies are God's temple and we have a responsibility to take care of them.
I lol'ed at “Knifing Forcefully at your Colon”… after reading about the amounts of trans fat in burgers from Burger King, I started calling it “Trans Fat King” or “Murder King”. =]
I also found your wife's condition interesting… I had never heard of it, and I'm working on a pastry degree so I work with gluten a lot. I couldn't imagine not being able to eat it!
jnat64

I agree with what you say here, especially in the fluids department. I know it still has bad ingredients, but when I switched completely to diet soda to support my diabetic wife, I noticed a major reduction in sluggishness, and found that I drank less. In many ways we can see that when we get in the way of God's work we screw it up; the food creation is just one more example. Also, to all reading and starting to see the rise in diabetes: just remember not to judge your neighbor, my wife is not obese, has never consumed masses of complex carbs or sugar, and genetically has it from a long line in her family. The victims are of different body styles and weights, our family is not comprised of obese people. I do understand diet and lifestyle can bring this on, but it is angering to hear doctors tell you how you eat poorly and categorize you without knowing.

I have always said that entropy is due to sin, and enjoy hearing that from another individual.
DennisFrye

Real interesting Andrew. A good read also.

One girl in my bible study has Celiac Disease, so it was interesting hearing what you had to say about it.
hattiejoyanthony

I always thought there was something weard about eating animals yep i don't like all the chicken and donuts this life has to offer, no wonder Jesus said man should not live by bread alone.. we should not starve our spirit to feed our bodys, nor should we feed our souls and starve our bodys! Lets get it right people <3
offsetemily

That's frightening. Good thing I'm not a fast-food junkie.
Oh, and drinking soda is terrible if it's sugary; you are right. Diet sodas rock, though. ^__^
ufmikeg

Andrew,

Thank you for this blog post. I, too, have a wife with Celiac Disease. It has opened our eyes to what we eat and the pursuit of healthy living. I have long since made fun of the hipster culture and all of its many cliches. Particularly their propensity to have an over-realized anthropology, thinking they can atone for their own sins by fixing planet earth. However, there is merit to the dietary choices.

We found the learning curve with Celiac to be quite steep and our knowledge was incremental. There were definitely a few books and a few friends who were very helpful. I trust you have found some such people in your life. One of our favorite things was international travel. This has become difficult for us now, but at least we have found one place in Mexico that is really good for us.

Thanks for sharing your life on here. I've been a Project 86 fan since the self-titled album in 1998. Your music, lyrics, and general thoughtful navigation of the Christian life has been quite helpful for my walk all these years.

Keep healthy. Keep writing. Keep making art.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Mike
http://modernpensees.wordpress.com/
Cate

So then I guess it's true “man can not live on FAST FOOD alone”, but only on the bread and water offered by Jesus when he said “I am the bread of life.” and “I am the living bread that came down from Heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:48 & 51) And again in John 4:10 where it reads “Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
http://www.facebook.com/Kolaiah777 Deanna De Avila

Unfortunately, discipline is not something that is looked upon favorably to those that have options. Those that do not have options because they cannot afford organic foods are the ones hit hardest by these things. I mention just one of the things that you have listed here and people give me that “look”, lol, that says “sure, Deanna”. I personally love to feel healthy and have a clear mind and if that takes discipline, then, so be it. After so many years of feeling “unexplanably” ill…I am so thankful that the Lord led me on the path to wellness through all the research similar to the resources that you mentioned above. So many health conditions that I supposedly had are now completely gone. God is good!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Moore/100000738877049 Jonathan Moore

This is funny because after I saw you guys at the MACC over the summer, I went to KFC, how funny.
Im Jonathan, the kid that talked to you after the show.
good luck in the future
god bless
Daniel

I realize this is pretty after the fact, but there is a book, The Culture Code (Rapaille), which includes a discussion about how different cultures view food. The keyword for how Americans view food is “FUEL”. It explains a lot about why our mindset is all about quick-and-easy when it comes to eating. It's good to see the value in making the extra effort to take care of your body. Hope it continues to go well for you.
Alison

I made my own journey of discovering the truth about food after I found out I was gluten intolerant (have not been tested for celiac) more than four years ago. You might want to check out the works of Dr. Weston A. Price to further expand your “food enlightenment.” He was a dentist in the 1930's who studied indigenous peoples and learned about their dietary habits and compared their health with the health of the same people groups who ate “the food of industry.” The differences are shocking. You can look at the pictures in this PDF of his book: http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks… There is also a lot of really wonderful information on http://www.westonaprice.org/
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Hi,

Its brilliant post guys, I liked it.
Epic_Jeff

You know, I had never heard of Celiac Disease until I read this blog six weeks ago. For five years, my wife has been diagnosed with Intersticial Cystitus, pelvic floor disorder, gastritis, dairy intolerance and so on. The accompanying list of prescription meds and pain killers is even more impressive. We even spent the previous six months going to Shands to the head of Uriology, being completely retested for all of it. She would live this way for the rest of her life, nothing they could do, here try these meds out. Almost anything she injested caused her mass amounts of pain. The meds zombified her or made Cybil seem she was more together than my wife. Not much time for love or affection. kids.Talking.

She went through a tough time. She wouldn’t pray, she was very angry with God. Extra helpings of emotion. She was getting close to her end, giving up, letting the enemy win. She was shutting herself out of life. I wasn’t much help. I said you gotta let God do this in his time, remember Paul, it’s for a good reason, there are others who are worse off. She let me know what she thought of that with a few choice words. I prayed and talked with God alot. Sitting in the truck before I leave for work, walking the aisles, here and there.

We’ve been following Christ for a few years now. I’m always on the lookout for good music or a good radio station to listen to. Z88.3 HD the rock out of orlando is a good one. They kept playing this song, but for some reason, it was the only song that never came up with a profile. So me and my kids cranked it one day to decipher the lyrics and do a google. Turned out it was Spyhunter by some band called Project 86. Checked out Youtube, liked what I heard then to wiki-pedia. It mentioned you as author and blogger so I looked up your blog…..

After reading and relating, I get to the above blog and ask my wife, have you ever heard of Celiac before? She said a doctor had pondered it 5 years ago but passed on the idea. She read up on it and stopped all gluten intake. Two days later she was healed of all pain, ALL! Praise God!!

No pain. No meds. First time in five years. Watched her drink orange juice for the first time in four years. Eat a banana, have a salad, take a vitamin, drink a glass of wine, unclench her fist. She was excited to eat out at Olive Garden to try something from thier gluten free menu. Half way thru the meal I noticed her hand balled up on the table, knuckles white. She said she was waiting for the pain, but it never came.

Seems she had been poisoning her body for many years. It grew over time to the point her body said no more, nope can’t do it. It also turns out that Celiac can mask all the above diseases and more. No kidding. So my wife has cut out gluten, still kind of iffy on dairy, but really, just the look on her face, the smile, the glow. Happiness.

I just wanted to share this with you. Well, I’ve been sharing it with anyone who will listen, but putting it down as a comment, when it is anything but a comment, is a different way of communication for me.Thank you God.Thank you for everything you do in my life and those around me. I love you.

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