Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: CANDY (04/28/16)
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TITLE: Sweets from Grandma's Kitchen | Previous Challenge Entry
By Nicki Jeffery
05/03/16 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
My mouth watered as I beheld Grandma’s “sweets”. Raspberry and lime jellies; apricots from the orchard, stewed and basking in their syrup; a macaroni pudding and vanilla ice cream. My tastebuds danced for joy.
Before sitting down, Grandma shuffled around the kitchen licking a wooden spoon. Her large bottom bumped the bench as she brushed icing sugar from her brightly patterned dress. Seeing us all waiting for her, she gave a hearty laugh.
“Help yourselves, everyone.”
These were regular family gatherings. One of my sisters and I sat at the bench on stools. Grandma’s famous candy jar was right near my plate. I anticipated my dip in it before we drove to our neighbouring farm homestead.
“Your mother phoned me three times today.” Mum said one day, frowning.
Dad gave Mum a knowing look.
I often caught Grandma talking to herself. She was a frequent traveller to the past and the future.
“I’ll ask Dad if she’s still taking her medication.” My father sighed, his eyes distant.
Grandma gave me tender smiles when we slept over. “God bless Mummy. God bless Daddy.” She prayed.
Sometimes I couldn’t fall asleep. I would hear the polished wooden floorboards creak as she padded down the hallway to the toilet. I would be crying and Grandma would enfold me in a bear hug, whispering that everything would be alright.
As an adult, I look at the chocolate cake mixture before me and smirk. Why have I been such a sugar addict? Does it worsen my biological tendency towards depression and anxiety?
If only Grandma had known the perils of sugar regarding our physical and mental health. Would her life have been different? What about the western world in general? Would there be less obesity, diabetes and heart disease if we had known the truth sooner?
Unfortunately, whole generations have been misinformed by American Dr Ancel Keys’ study that concluded with “fat makes you fat”. His Seven Countries Study, launched in 1958, excluded data from 15 countries. Being selective in which evidence he included, Keys determined that dietary fat consumption caused high blood cholesterol. Our nation has taken on his message that avoiding saturated fat will stop people being fat.
Dr John Yudkin from the United Kingdom published a book in 1972, “Sweet and Deadly”, which suggested that sugar, not fat, was the cause of heart disease. Table sugar is made up of dextrose and fructose. Fructose is dangerous for the body. According to heart surgeon Dr Dwight Lundell, processed foods harm our arteries. It’s like rubbing a stiff brush over soft skin until it nearly bleeds, over and over. The foods we eat create injuries and the inflammatory process.
Thankfully, there is good news. Saying “no” to candy and “yes” to fresh unprocessed food will reverse years of damage in our arteries and throughout our bodies.
According to “Sweet Poison: Why Sugar makes us Fat” author, David Gillespie, one can quit eating fructose cold turkey and consume smaller amounts of foods made with dextrose. Since fructose is as addictive as cocaine, people go through withdrawal. But we can emerge lighter, healthier and freer.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Now rather than cordial, muesli bars and white bread sandwiches, my son’s lunch box contains fruit, cashews and a mini quiche. If we start our children on a healthier eating path when they are young, another generation will not have to face the sicknesses we have faced.
I look at a photograph of my grandmother. Smiling blue eyes behind round glasses. Curly silver hair and pink beads to match her vibrant dress. I can still hear her laughing. I miss her. Through all she battled, she could light up a room.
She passed away a decade ago at the age of 81. A beautiful Christian woman whom I will see again in heaven. My sons never met her. As much as I relished my hand being in Grandma’s candy jar, I relish my memories more. I want to live the best life I can in Jesus, strong in body and mind.
Proverbs 31:25 ESV says, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”
The author acknowledges the following sources:
“Sweet Poison: Why Sugar makes us Fat”, by David Gillespie
“I Quit Sugar”, by Sarah Wilson
“Heart Surgeon speaks out on what really causes Heart Disease”, by Dr Dwight Lundell [Prevent Disease Sott.net online]
“The Truth about Sugar” BBC Good Food
“That Sugar Film” Documentary 2014
“Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” Documentary 2010
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Well done.
Blessings~