Absolutes For Seeking A Long, Healthy, And Productive Life

    Which of us does not desire to enjoy longevity accompanied by energy and a sense of well-being while continuing to pursue our most productive endeavors? Having said that, we realize that anything worthwhile comes at a price: commitment. I want to share with my readers today how I travelled through life, not always “on-track”, yet determined to take the path that led to Christ, asking myself at times, “What would God do?” Or “What does God want me to do?”

   My story goes like this: In my thirties, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, namely Celiac disease. For those unfamiliar with this disorder, it is not an allergy. It is the body’s inability to metabolize gluten. In my case, it presented with a very itchy rash and was diagnosed at the Skin and Cancer Hospital in Penna. Unfortunately, at that time (1969), there were no gluten-free food products available. Celiac causes severe inflammation. twice years later, I suffered pancreatitis and had 3” of colon removed.

   Moreover, this inflammation associated with Celiac continues to progress, regardless of how one avoids gluten. There was a sulfa drug prescribed to help, and it had side effects, as do most drugs. My cholesterol was very high (over 300), a genetic condition. The swelling caused fluid retention and weight gain, and placed stress on kidneys, etc. Needless to say, in my thirties, I was not as healthy as I wanted to be.

  Having married young, I focused on work and raising my identical twin daughters. By my mid-forties,

I was able to spend more time in prayer and lived with less stress. I returned to college and studied Health Science; my mother was a Nurse. A few years later, and after becoming licensed through DC, I was an ND. Doctor of Naturopathy. I founded Renders Wellness in New Jersey, spent 2 to 3 days a week at the gym, and found it actually lowered cholesterol better than prescribed medications, which all have side effects. Soon, I was able to find gluten-free foods, not very tasty at that time as they had not yet been perfected. However, I remained faithful to my diet and continued to exercise.

  God was always with me, leading and guiding me. And I remained faithful to Him, always spending time with Him, and at the end of each day, I had to go and share my day with Him. I went from 165 pounds down to about 148 pounds, and much of the fluid in my body was becoming more stable.

  Where am I going with this? After many years of study, working in my field of Wellness, including the “Intakes” from patients, reviewing their diagnoses, and making evaluations, I was able to make safer recommendations to them that did not cause negative side effects, but pointed them in a positive direction.

Bottom Line:  Today I am looking forward to celebrating my 87th Birthday in November. I wear a size eight and weigh 132 pounds. This works for me as I love fashion and always wear coordinated outfits. Doctors hardly believe my age!

My prayer to Jesus: “Jesus, I submit totally to your will. I am yours, Body, mind, spirit, and soul. Lead me, guide me, protect me, and when needed, please correct me.”

What to Take Away from this:  I stopped providing educational Health Lectures in Senior Centers because they appeared to be only interested in the free rides and Lunches provided by these Community Centers. But also, because it is too late in one’s Sixties to achieve reversal of a sedentary lifestyle to an active lifestyle, and at the same time building needed muscle tone. Exercise at an elderly age could also be a bit debilitating. We must begin at a young age to make the necessary corrections that determine who we are as we age. Sound nutrition and exercise with God at the center of our lives is the key to success!