Which Foods Help Sustain Eye Health?
Posted on July 19, 2021 Leave a Comment
Often, we look outside for things that will help our eyes look healthy, more natural, and young. But, what may help you the most are the very things we are made of and what contributes to overall health.
As discussed in a previous article, Day 3: How You Can Use Physical Activity To Improve Your Eye Health, you have highways and bi-ways of blood vessels throughout your eyes, keeping these headlights of your vehicle (body) clean.
Our body works together, day and night, us in a balanced working condition. Just like a car, we provide our body the fuel it needs to function efficiently and effectively.
Although we are still learning about the human body, research consistently points to several key plant compounds necessary for optimal eye health. In addition, if we come from nature, we have a better chance of staying healthy by aligning ourselves with nature, including the foods from nature.
There are three concentrated carotenoids, plant compounds, found in the macula of your eye, and they are lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin. Both lutein and zeaxanthin are found in green, orange, and yellow vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli, orange and yellow fruits, and egg yolks. Research shows that lutein and zeaxanthin may help promote eye health by preventing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. In addition, lutein may also prevent cancer and protect you from heart disease. Meso-zeaxanthin may be a byproduct of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Many of the foods that protect your eyes (i.e., green vegetables) contain antioxidants, which help keep your cells intact. Antioxidants give up their charge (mostly neutral) to balance free radicals (unpaired neutrons) produced from metabolism. Too many free radicals in your body lead to a type of stress called oxidative stress, increasing your risk for cancer, eye & heart disease, and other health ailments.
Other key nutrients include Omega-3 fatty acids (i.e., salmon, sardines, mackerel), zinc (i.e., beef, chicken, oysters, turkey), Vitamin A (carrots, sweet potatoes), Vitamin C (oranges, peaches, grapefruits), and Vitamin E ( i.e.almonds, avocado, peanuts).
Check out the Food & Drug Administration Daily Allowances chart based on age to better understand the number of nutrients (minerals and vitamins you need to help your body.
Let’s be what my husband said yesterday morning “fit as a family.” This week, I will share ways you can add some of these foods to your meal plan. Remember, balance, moderation, and portion sizes are the key. Too much of one thing can cause an imbalance in your body.
Use teachable moments to ask the questions you want to know and share the knowledge and wisdom you gained. For example,
- When you are at your healthcare provider’s visit, ask what you can do to protect your eyes.
- Health class starts at home. As you learn about foods to increase eye health, talk to your children about the foods on their plate at mealtimes.
You can also.
- Print off the list of healthy eye foods. Hang the list on the refrigerator and aim to include one food item off the list a day.
- Print off a copy of My plate to help increase your colorful, healthy meals.
Make this lifetime great! Each day is a new day to begin again.
Timika
Please share this post if you believe it would help someone, and become a part of the movement determined to fulfill our divine purpose and receive quarterly empowering newsletters.
Make this lifetime great!
Like & Share
Boost Your Eye Health With Foods This Week
Posted on July 18, 2021 Leave a Comment
This week, I will share specific foods and nutrients you can incorporate into your health plan to help boost eye health and some of the ways I include these nutrients in my family’s meals.
Boosting Eye Health With Nutrients Week – Create A Generational Love Cycle With Timika S Chambers
Please share this post if you believe it would help someone, and become a part of the movement determined to fulfill our divine purpose and receive quarterly empowering newsletters.
Make this lifetime great!
Timika
Like & Share
Day 4: How Do You Strengthen Your Eyes Spiritually?
Posted on July 16, 2021 Leave a Comment
The question is not will we experience trials and tribulations, but what tools do we have to weather life’s storms?
Over the past several years, I’ve learned that the Bible is my go-to source for life experiences. The first time I read the entire Bible was when I was around 10 years old after my sexual abuse secret was out. While standing at the crossroads of my life with a broken compass, I called out to nature for help, and a series of events took place, including getting a copy of the King James Bible.
Now, more than ever, I know I avoided many of the childhood sexual abuse consequences (addictions, delinquencies, sexual promiscuity, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and others) because of my faith, my heart’s desires, and what I learned from childhood sexual abuse (shared in my upcoming memoir Bent Not Broken). I learned about Jesus and admired and identified with Him. I developed a spiritual approach to life. I was not a victim but a student of life.
Later in life, at another major crossroads, I saw oppositions and distractions to reuniting with my purpose in life. The victim approach to life sunk in my consciousness, and along with the life-draining approach, came its symptoms (anxiety and increased heart rate and blood pressure). Realizing that I had weathered the storm of childhood sexual abuse and remembering the spiritual lessons I learned restored me to my rightful narrow path.
I realized that the spiritual approach to life is the healthier way to live. Of course, I can blame, hit, kick, steal, fuss, cuss, etc., but what will all that do for me in the long run?
I need to consistently ground myself by aligning with nature and the God within me. Nothing else will give me the joy, love, and peace I deserve.
So, as you think about the things you do in times of stress, do not shift to blame. The way we change our behaviors is through acceptance and acknowledgment. Each day holds its own treasures and brings us closer to our True Selves.
Here are five ways to strengthen your eyes.
- See that you are more than a bodily form. Within you is a magnificent Spirit.
- Spend time aligning with the Spirit inside you (i.e., sitting, standing, walking out in nature so you can see right through experiences as Jesus knew the hearts of men (John 2:24–25). Then we spend less time in anger, disappointment, and other lingering unhealthy emotions and feelings which cloud our vision.
- Daily ground yourself in Truth. Some of the things I do to ground myself include reading the Bible every morning and communicating with God through prayer or just conversation. There is more to the Bible than the question of believing in Jesus. There are universal truths in the Bible, such as loving others, not stealing, and what to focus on (Philippians 4:8–9).
- Learn phrases to help you stay centered. There are many Bible verses to help ground you, for every book in the Bible is filled with wisdom. I usually turn to Proverbs, Ephesians, Philippians, to name a few. Remember, we aren’t experiencing anything new. In other words, the universal principles that applied 2000 plus years ago still apply today.
- Remember, life experiences test your foundation. Within every experience, there is something to learn about yourself.
Please share this post if you believe it would help someone, and become a part of the movement determined to fulfill our divine purpose and receive quarterly empowering newsletters.
Make this lifetime great!
Timika
