Speaking of which, does Halloween cause conflict in your home?  For a great perspective on the spiritual implications of Halloween (and some wonderful alternatives for your children), set your browser to http://www.christianity.com/CC_Content_Page/1,1182,PTID2546|CHID103146|CIID,00.html.

And do you hate to contribute to the sugar rush of those darling costumed children at your doorstep?  Try offering a healthy alternative:  perhaps a little box of raisins, or an inexpensive small toy (just be clear that this isn't edible, and no small parts that could lead to choking please).  Most Christian bookstores carry a variety of such toys that would be appropriate.

----------------------------------------------
TYPE II DIABETES IN CHILDREN
---------------------------------------------
Yes, you read the title correctly.  Type I diabetes is also called "juvenile" diabetes and generally rears its ugly head during childhood.  Type II or "adult onset" diabetes has heretofore been considered the exclusive domain of the over-40-and-obese.  Of course, there have always been exceptions, but according to a  report on CNN aired on October 16, 2000, about 25 - 40% of new cases in diabetes in children are Type II!

A medical doctor in the CNN piece, citing possible reasons for the rise in Type II diabetes in children lists,

"...increased reliance on food consumed outside the home... increased consumption of soft drinks, increased consumption of fast foods..."

But let's go back to the above quote for a moment:
    "...increased reliance on food consumed outside the home... "  -Our busy lifestyles are not only killing us, but our children as well!
    "... increased consumption of soft drinks..." -Wow!  We cited many other reasons in last month's Your Healthy Perspective why soft drinks are a killer, but this one shocked even us!  (You may review last month's newsletter at http://www.healthyperspective.com/yhparchivevol11.html)
    "...increased consumption of fast foods..." -A constant diet of hamburgers and french fries is deadly for anyone, and our precious children are particularly vulnerable.  Other studies show the rise in atherosclerosis (previously unheard of in children!) and obesity can be traced to consumption of fast foods!

If you would like to see this report for yourself, set your browser to http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/children/10/16/fatter.kids/index.html and click on the "play video" option.

So what's the solution for our children?  The same as the solution for us:  lots of fresh, raw fruits and veggies, and whole grains.  We all know children love fresh fruit - give them lots of it.  And children really don't hate veggies - they sometimes hate COOKED veggies.  So give them lots of the raw stuff - they love "finger food" so cut the veggies in strips or cubes and let them eat all they want.  You might want to occasionally add a healthy dip for the raw veggies, such as salsa or a good dressing (find one without artificial anything and dairy-free - you may have to visit your health food store or make your own).  Of course, children's energy needs are greater than ours, so make sure to give them plenty of "carbo-loaded" foods (you might try nuts and dried fruits for snacks).  If your children love hot dogs and hamburgers, try some of the healthy, meatless varieties (usually made with soy and/or grains).

And last but not least, provide plenty of time for play.  If the computer and television are turned off, children will resort to active play - a fun version of what we call "exercise."

-----------------------------------------------------
AND WHILE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT...
-----------------------------------------------------
What subject?  Why soft drinks, of course.  I know that, technically, we were on a different subject (although the soft drink/diabetes connection is pretty scary, isn't it?), but I've seen so much additional compelling evidence for abstaining from soda pop since last month's newsletter, I just had to include a little follow-up.

In Dr. Mary Ruth Swope's excellent book, Green Leaves of Barley, Chapter 2, entitled "Wake up America... You're Sick!," is written by David A Darbro, M.D.  I'd like to quote a bit of what Dr. Darbro has to say,

"...There are many research studies which allude to the fact that high phosphorus and/or phosphoric acid (found in meat and soft drinks) pulls calcium out of the bony structures (bones, teeth, and nails) in the process of digestion and assimilation.  This has a disastrous effect on bone density, leaving them porous and spongy....  According to the National Soft Drink Association, in 1993 soft drink consumption has increased to the point that Americans are consuming 51.8 gallons per person per year.  That compares to 10.4 in 1950.  At the same time, consumption of meat, poultry, and fish hit an all-time high in 1993.  According to USDA figures, per capita consumption reached 221.7 pounds, a figure 19 percent above the previous 75-year average of 186 pounds.¹  I believe these two changes in the American diet are largely responsible for our extremely high incidence of osteoporosis."²

Just in case you weren't right put off your favorite cola last month, this ought to do it!

¹ Statistical Abstract of the U.S., U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census, 1995, Chart 225, p. 147.
² Green Leaves of Barley, 3rd edition, Dr. Mary Ruth Swope with David A. Darbro,  M.D., Swope Enterprises, Lone Star, TX, 1998, p. 33.

--------------------------
HEALTHY RECIPE
--------------------------
Nothing cheers up a dreary fall day quite like hearth, home, and the aroma of freshly baked banana bread hanging in the air.  Aah!

Nicole's got a winner here - easy to prepare and delicious!

**Nicole's Banana Bread**

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
4 teaspoons non-aluminum baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 large bananas)
1/2 cup natural honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix separately the dry and wet ingredients, then mix them together until well blended.  Pour the batter into a lightly greased 8.5" x 4.5" loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour.

Enjoy!

----------------------------------
NICOLE'S QUICK BYTES
----------------------------------
Nothing but the truth.
We hear lies everyday and from everywhere; from  media, from political candidates, from our friends and family, and even from inside our own heads.  The worst thing about lies is that we don't usually know when we are being lied to.

Taking lies for the truth can have dire consequences, particularly when the lies seem to come from within.  We don't commonly recognize our own thoughts as lies, but that is exactly what they are when we say things to ourselves that aren't true; "How can I be so stupid?" or "I'll never be very good at that," or even "Did you see how she looked at me?  She must not like me." And lies can insidiously come in even more hard to recognize forms and from more unexpected places.

But the best thing about lies is that they have no power if they aren't believed.  Once we recognize a lie for what it is, that is ALL it is.  To really know the truth, and not be harmed by lies, we can practice recognizing lies, keeping an eye out for them, and testing all our thoughts, and the statements of others, with what we KNOW to be truth.  If we all start hunting lies, neutralizing them with the truth, our world will be a much safer place.

-----------------------
ELECTION DAY
-----------------------
Tuesday, November 7, 2000
Mark it on your calendar and take action.  Please 1. pray,  2. listen, and  3. VOTE!!!  This is no time for apathy.  This is probably the most important election to date in our lifetimes.  All the key races are close and each vote counts.  Educate yourself about the issues and the candidates.  A good place to start is http://www.voter.com.

And to those of you who do not live in the United States, we would appreciate your prayers on our election day.  Thank you.
-------------------

Until next time, when we are preparing for Thanksgiving...

God bless you,
-Rev. Clarence Russell, Kimberly and Nicole
--------------------

Please feel free to forward, copy, post or share this newsletter (in its entirety only, please) with those who might enjoy or benefit from it.

If such a friend sent this newsletter to you and you enjoyed it, you can have your own free subscription. Simply send an e-mail to
subscribe@healthyperspective.com.  Or you may visit the Healthy Perspective web site at http://www.healthyperspective.com/subscribepage.html and follow the simple SUBSCRIBE directions.
___
We only send this publication to individuals who wish to receive a free subscription, and we do not make this e-mail list available to anyone else for any reason.
___
If you ever wish, for any reason, to discontinue your free subscription, please send an e-mail to unsubscribe@healthyperspective.com.
___
The material in this file is provided for informational purposes only. We do not prescribe nor diagnose. If you use the information in this file without the approval of a health professional, you prescribe for yourself, which remains your constitutional right, but the author(s) assume no responsibility.
___
Copyright (c) 2000 by Clarence Russell . All rights reserved. As long as this file is left intact, permission is granted for use on web sites or in newsgroups or mailing lists.