Prenatal Development

Prenatal Development

How can a drug cause devastating effects at one point in prenatal development but not at others?

During the earliest period of prenatal development –the stage of development from conception to birth—the fertilized egg divides, embarking on the process that will transform it in just nine months from a one-celled organism into a complex human being.

The dividing cells form a hollow ball, which implants itself in the wall of the uterus. Two weeks after conception the cells begin to specialize: Some will form the baby’s internal organs; others will form muscles and bones; and still others will form the skin and the nervous system. No longer an undifferentiated mass of cells, the developing organism is now called an embryo.

The embryo stage ends three months after conception, when the stage of the fetus begins. At this point, although it is only 1 inch long, the fetus roughly resembles a human being, with arms and legs, a large head, and a heart that is beating and pumping blood through tiny arteries and veins.

The embryo and the fetus are nourished by an organ called the placenta. Within the placenta the mother’s blood vessels transmit substances to the embryo or fetus and carry waste products away from it. Although the mother’s blood never actually mingles with that of her unborn child, almost anything she eats, drinks, or inhales is capable of being transmitted through the placenta. If she develops an infection such as syphilis, rubella (German measles), HIV, the microorganisms involved can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, often with disastrous results. If she inhales nicotine, drinks alcohol, or uses other drugs during pregnancy, these too can cross the placenta, compromising the baby’s development (Harris and Liebert, 1991)

Even seemingly harmless over-the-counter drugs may have adverse effects on a developing embryo or fetus. For instance, a pregnant woman who takes an aspirin to alleviate a headache runs the risk of causing bleeding in her fetus. More potent drugs can do even greater harm, as we learned in the 1950’s when a drug called thalidomide, sometimes used to combat morning sickness, was found to inhibit development of an embryo’s arms and legs. More recently, the use of cocaine has taught a similar lesson. Babies whose mothers take cocaine are often born addicted, and they are often smaller and thinner than normal, prone to serious respiratory troubles and sometimes even seizures, and likely to suffer cognitive and social difficulties in childhood. (Lewis and Bendersky, 1995)

Alcohol is the drug most often abused by pregnant women, and with devastating consequences (Steinhausen, Willms, and Spohr,1993) Pregnant women who consume large amounts of alcohol risk giving birth to a child with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a condition characterized by facial deformities, heart defects, stunted growth, and congnitive impairments. Even smaller amounts of alcohol can be harmful (Hunt et al., 1995) Taking just two drinks a day during pregnancy is associated with having a child who functions more poorly than others both mentally and behaviorally (Shriver and Piersel, 1994) To be safest, pregnant women and those who are trying to become pregnant should not drink alcohol.


Please come back to read more on this subject in my next article thank you. I hope this helps you understand that drinking, drugs, smoking etc… affects not only your health but the health of your unborn child. Thank you.

TEN WORDS

TEN WORDS
This translation of the Hebrew expression `ase´reth had·deva·rim´, found only in the Pentateuch, designates the ten basic laws of the Law covenant; commonly called the Ten Commandments. (Ex 34:28; De 4:13; 10:4) This special code of laws is also spoken of as the “Words” (De 5:22) and as “the words of the covenant.” (Ex 34:28) The Greek Septuagint (Ex 34:28; De 10:4) reads de´ka (ten) lo´gous (words), from which combination the word “Decalogue” is derived.
Source of Tablets. The Ten Words were first orally given at Mount Sinai by the angel of Jehovah. (Ex 20:1; 31:18; De 5:22; 9:10; Ac 7:38, 53; see also Ga 3:19; Heb 2:2.) Moses then ascended the mountain to receive the Ten Words in written form on two stone tablets, along with other commandments and instructions. During his extended 40-day stay, the people grew restless and made a molten calf to worship. Descending the mountain, Moses saw this spectacle of idolatry and threw down “the tablets [that] were the workmanship of God,” the very tablets upon which the Ten Words had been written, and shattered them.—Ex 24:12; 31:18–32:19; De 9:8-17; compare Lu 11:20.
Jehovah later told Moses: “Carve out for yourself two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I must write upon the tablets the words that appeared on the first tablets, which you shattered.” (Ex 34:1-4) And so after another 40 days spent in the mountain, a duplicate copy of the Ten Words was obtained. These were kept by Moses in an ark of acacia wood. (De 10:1-5) The two tablets were called “the tablets of the covenant.” (De 9:9, 11, 15) Evidently this is why the gold-overlaid ark later made by Bezalel, in which the tablets were eventually kept, was called “the ark of the covenant.” (Jos 3:6, 11; 8:33; Jg 20:27; Heb 9:4) This legislation of the Ten Words was also called “the testimony” (Ex 25:16, 21; 40:20) and the “tablets of the Testimony” (Ex 31:18; 34:29), hence the expressions “the ark of the testimony” (Ex 25:22; Nu 4:5), and also “the tabernacle of the Testimony,” that is, the tent where the Ark was housed.—Ex 38:21.
Concerning the first set of tablets, it is stated that they not only were made by Jehovah but were also “written on by God’s finger,” evidently denoting God’s spirit. (Ex 31:18; De 4:13; 5:22; 9:10) Likewise, the second set of tablets, although carved out by Moses, were written upon by Jehovah. When, at Exodus 34:27, Moses was told, “Write down for yourself these words,” reference was not to the Ten Words themselves, but, rather, as on a previous occasion (Ex 24:3, 4), he was to write down some of the other details pertaining to the covenant regulations. Hence, the pronoun “he” in Exodus 34:28b refers to Jehovah when it says: “And he [Jehovah, not Moses] proceeded to write upon the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Words.” Verse 1 shows this to be so. Later, when recalling these events, Moses confirms that it was Jehovah who duplicated the tablets.—De 10:1-4.
Contents of the Commandments. By way of an introduction to these Ten Words is the forthright statement in the first person: “I am Jehovah your God, who have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves.” (Ex 20:2) This not only states who is speaking to whom but shows why the Decalogue was especially given to the Jews at that time. It was not given to Abraham.—De 5:2, 3.
The first commandment, “You must not have any other gods against my face,” put Jehovah first. (Ex 20:3) It involved his lofty office and unique position as God Almighty, the Most High, the Supreme Sovereign. This commandment indicated that the Israelites were not to have any other gods as rivals to Jehovah.
The second commandment was a natural follow-up of the first in that it forbade idolatry in any shape or form as an open affront to Jehovah’s glory and Personage. ‘You must not make a carved image or a form like anything in the heavens, on the earth, or in the waters under the earth, nor are you to bow down to or serve them.’ This prohibition is underscored with the declaration: “Because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion.”—Ex 20:4-6.
The third commandment, in its proper and logical sequence, declared: “You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way.” (Ex 20:7) This harmonizes with the prominence attached to Jehovah’s name throughout the Hebrew Scriptures (6,973 times in NW; see JEHOVAH [Importance of the Name]). Within just these few verses of the Ten Words (Ex 20:2-17), the name occurs eight times. The phrase “not take up” has the thought of “not pronounce” or “not lift up (carry).” To do this to God’s name in “a worthless way” would be to lift up that name to a falsehood, or “in vain.” The Israelites who were privileged to bear Jehovah’s name as his witnesses and who became apostate were in effect taking up and carrying about Jehovah’s name in a worthless way.—Isa 43:10; Eze 36:20, 21.
The fourth commandment stated: “Remembering the sabbath day to hold it sacred, you are to render service and you must do all your work six days. But the seventh day is a sabbath to Jehovah your God. You must not do any work, you nor your son nor your daughter, your slave man nor your slave girl nor your domestic animal nor your alien resident who is inside your gates.” (Ex 20:8-10) By their holding this day as holy to Jehovah, all, even the slaves and the domestic animals, would have the benefit of refreshing rest. The Sabbath day also provided opportunity to concentrate on spiritual matters without distraction.
The fifth commandment, “Honor your father and your mother,” may be viewed as linking together the first four, which define man’s duties toward God, and the remaining commandments, which set forth man’s obligations toward fellow creatures. For since parents serve as God’s representatives, by keeping the fifth command one is honoring and obeying both the Creator and those creatures upon whom God has conferred authority. This command was the only one of the ten with a promise attached: “in order that your days may prove long upon the ground that Jehovah your God is giving you.”—Ex 20:12; De 5:16; Eph 6:2, 3.
The next commandments in the code were stated very tersely: the sixth, “You must not murder”; the seventh, “You must not commit adultery”; the eighth, “You must not steal.” (Ex 20:13-15) This is the way these laws are listed in the Masoretic text—from laws dealing with crimes causing the greatest harm to one’s neighbor to the one causing the least, in that order. In some Greek manuscripts (Codex Alexandrinus, Codex Ambrosianus) the order is ‘murder, theft, adultery’; Philo (The Decalogue, XII, 51) has “adultery, murder, theft”; the Codex Vaticanus, ‘adultery, theft, murder.’ Going next from deeds to words, the ninth says: “You must not testify falsely as a witness against your fellowman.”—Ex 20:16.
The tenth commandment (Ex 20:17) was unique in that it forbade covetousness, that is, wrong desire for the property and possessions, including the wife, belonging to a fellowman. No human lawmakers originated such a law, for, indeed, there would be no way humanly possible of enforcing it. Jehovah, on the other hand, by this tenth commandment made each one directly accountable to Him as the one who sees and knows all the secret thoughts of a person’s heart.—1Sa 16:7; Pr 21:2; Jer 17:10.
Other Listings of These Laws. The above division of the Ten Words as found at Exodus 20:2-17 is a natural one. It is the same as given by Josephus, Jewish historian of the first century C.E. (Jewish Antiquities, III, 91, 92 [v, 5]), and by the Jewish philosopher Philo, also of the first century C.E., in The Decalogue (XII, 51). Others, however, including Augustine, combined the two laws against foreign gods and images (Ex 20:3-6; De 5:7-10) into one commandment, and then, in order to recover a tenth, divided Exodus 20:17 (De 5:21) into two commandments, thus making a ninth against coveting a man’s wife, and a tenth against coveting his house, and so forth. Augustine sought to support his theoretical division on the later parallel listing of the Decalogue at Deuteronomy 5:6-21, where two different Hebrew words in verse 21 are found (“Neither must you desire [form of Heb. cha·madh´] . . . Neither must you selfishly crave [form of Heb. ´a·wah´]”), rather than on the earlier text in Exodus 20:17, where just the one verb (desire) occurs twice.
There are other minor differences in the wording between the parallel enumerations of the Ten Commandments in Exodus and Deuteronomy, but these in no way affect the force or the meaning of the laws. Whereas, in the former listing, the Ten Words are stated in formal legislative style, its later repetition is more narrative in form, for on the latter occasion Moses was merely rehearsing God’s commandment in the way of a reminder. The Ten Words also appear elsewhere in still other variations, for they were often quoted or cited along with other instructions by Bible writers of both the Hebrew and Christian Greek Scriptures.—Ex 31:14; 34:14, 17, 21; Le 19:3, 11, 12; De 4:15-19; 6:14, 15; Mt 5:27; 15:4; Lu 18:20; Ro 13:9; Eph 6:2, 3.
The Ten Words were God-given, hence comprise a perfect law code. When a man “versed in the Law” asked Jesus Christ, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”, Jesus quoted a command that, in effect, epitomized the first four (or possibly five) of the Ten Commandments, saying: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.” The rest of the Decalogue, Jesus then summed up in the few words of another command: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”—Mt 22:35-40; De 6:5; Le 19:18.
Christians Not Under Decalogue. Jesus was born under the Law, and he kept it perfectly, finally giving up his life as a ransom for mankind. (Ga 4:4; 1Jo 2:2) Furthermore, by his death on the torture stake, he freed those under the Law (including the basic Ten Words or Commandments) “by becoming a curse instead” of them. His death provided for the ‘blotting out of the handwritten document,’ it being nailed to the torture stake.—Ga 3:13; Col 2:13, 14.
Nevertheless, a study of the Law with its Ten Words is essential for Christians, for it reveals God’s viewpoint of matters, and it had “a shadow of the good things to come,” of the reality that belongs to the Christ. (Heb 10:1; Col 2:17; Ga 6:2) Christians are “not without law toward God but under law toward Christ.” (1Co 9:21) But they are not condemned as sinners by that law, for the undeserved kindness of God through Christ provides forgiveness for their errors due to fleshly weakness.—Ro 3:23, 24.

Are We Under the Ten

Are We Under the Ten Commandments?
WHAT LAWS does Jehovah God want us to obey? Must we keep what the Bible calls “the law of Moses” or, sometimes, “the Law”? (1 Kings 2:3; Titus 3:9) This is also called “the law of Jehovah,” because he is the One who gave it. (1 Chronicles 16:40) Moses merely delivered the Law to the people.
2 The law of Moses consists of more than 600 individual laws, or commandments, including the 10 main ones. As Moses said: “He [Jehovah] commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.” (Deuteronomy 4:13; Exodus 31:18, King James Version) But to whom did Jehovah give the Law, including the Ten Commandments? Did he give it to all humankind? What was the purpose of the Law?
TO ISRAEL FOR A SPECIAL PURPOSE
3 The Law was not given to all humankind. Jehovah made a covenant, or an agreement, with the descendants of Jacob, who became the nation of Israel. Jehovah gave his laws to this nation only. The Bible makes this clear at Deuteronomy 5:1-3 and Psalm 147:19, 20.
4 The apostle Paul asked the question: “Why, then, the Law?” Yes, for what purpose did Jehovah give his law to Israel? Paul answered: “To make transgressions manifest, until the seed should arrive to whom the promise had been made . . . Consequently the Law has become our tutor [or, teacher] leading to Christ.” (Galatians 3:19-24) The special purpose of the Law was to protect and guide the nation of Israel so that they might be ready to accept Christ when he arrived. The many sacrifices required by the Law reminded the Israelites that they were sinners who needed a Savior.—Hebrews 10:1-4.
“CHRIST IS THE END OF THE LAW”
5 Jesus Christ, of course, was that promised Savior, even as the angel proclaimed at his birth. (Luke 2:8-14) So when Christ came and gave his perfect life as a sacrifice, what happened to the Law? It was removed. “We are no longer under a tutor,” Paul explained. (Galatians 3:25) The removal of the Law was a relief to the Israelites. It had shown them up as sinners, for all of them fell short of keeping that Law perfectly. “Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law,” Paul said. (Galatians 3:10-14) So the Bible also says: “Christ is the end of the Law.”—Romans 10:4; 6:14.
6 The Law actually served as a barrier or “wall” between the Israelites and other peoples who were not under it. By the sacrifice of his life, however, Christ “abolished . . . the Law of commandments consisting in decrees, that he might create the two peoples [Israelite and non-Israelite] in union with himself into one new man.” (Ephesians 2:11-18) Concerning the action that Jehovah God himself took toward the law of Moses, we read: “He kindly forgave us all our trespasses and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees [including the Ten Commandments] and which was in opposition to us [because of condemning the Israelites as sinners]; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake.” (Colossians 2:13, 14) So, with the perfect sacrifice of Christ, the Law was brought to an end.
7 Some persons, however, say that the Law is divided into two parts: The Ten Commandments, and the rest of the laws. The rest of the laws, they say, are what ended, but the Ten Commandments remain. Yet this is not true. In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus quoted from the Ten Commandments as well as other parts of the Law and made no distinction between them. Jesus thus showed that the law of Moses was not divided into two parts.—Matthew 5:21-42.
8 Notice, too, what the apostle Paul was inspired by God to write: “Now we have been discharged from the Law.” Was it only the laws other than the Ten Commandments that the Jews were discharged from? No, for Paul goes on to say: “Really I would not have come to know sin if it had not been for the Law; and, for example, I would not have known covetousness if the Law had not said: ‘You must not covet.’” (Romans 7:6, 7; Exodus 20:17) Since “You must not covet” is the last one of the Ten Commandments, it follows that the Israelites were discharged from the Ten Commandments also.
9 Does this mean that the law to keep a weekly Sabbath, which is the fourth of the Ten Commandments, was also removed? Yes, it does. What the Bible says at Galatians 4:8-11 and Colossians 2:16, 17 shows that Christians are not under God’s law given to the Israelites, with its requirement to keep the weekly Sabbath and to observe other special days in the year. That keeping a weekly Sabbath is not a Christian requirement can also be seen from Romans 14:5.
LAWS THAT APPLY TO CHRISTIANS
10 Does this mean that, since Christians are not under the Ten Commandments, they do not need to observe any laws? Not at all. Jesus introduced a “new covenant,” based on the better sacrifice of his own perfect human life. Christians come under this new covenant and are subject to Christian laws. (Hebrews 8:7-13; Luke 22:20) Many of these laws have been taken from the law of Moses. This is not unexpected or unusual. A similar thing often happens when a new government takes over the rule of a country. The constitution under the old government might be canceled and replaced, but the new constitution may keep many of the laws of the old one. In a similar way, the Law covenant came to an end, but many of its basic laws and principles were adopted into Christianity.
11 Note how this is the case as you read the Ten Commandments on page 203, and then compare them with the following Christian laws and teachings: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship.” (Matthew 4:10; 1 Corinthians 10:20-22) “Guard yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21; 1 Corinthians 10:14) “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified [not treated in a worthless way].” (Matthew 6:9) “Children, be obedient to your parents.” (Ephesians 6:1, 2) And the Bible makes clear that murder, committing adultery, stealing, lying and coveting are also against the laws for Christians.—Revelation 21:8; 1 John 3:15; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; Ephesians 4:25, 28; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Luke 12:15; Colossians 3:5.
12 Although Christians are not commanded to keep a weekly Sabbath, we learn something from that arrangement. The Israelites rested in a literal way, but Christians must rest in a spiritual way. How? Because of faith and obedience true Christians leave off doing selfish works. These selfish works include efforts to establish their own righteousness. (Hebrews 4:10) This spiritual rest is observed not only one day a week but for all seven days. The requirement of the literal Sabbath law to set aside one day for spiritual interests protected the Israelites from selfishly using all their time to seek their own material advantage. Applying this principle every day in a spiritual way is an even more effective guard against materialism.
13 So Christians are urged to “fulfill the law of the Christ,” rather than to keep the Ten Commandments. (Galatians 6:2) Jesus gave many commands and instructions, and by our obeying them we are keeping or fulfilling his law. In particular, Jesus stressed the importance of love. (Matthew 22:36-40; John 13:34, 35) Yes, to love others is a Christian law. It is the basis of the entire law of Moses, as the Bible says: “The entire Law stands fulfilled in one saying, namely: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’”—Galatians 5:13, 14; Romans 13:8-10.
14 The law given through Moses, with its Ten Commandments, was a righteous set of laws from God. And even though we are not under that law today, the divine principles behind it are still of great value to us. By studying and applying them we will grow in appreciation for the great Lawgiver Jehovah God. But especially should we study and apply in our lives Christian laws and teachings. Love for Jehovah will move us to obey all that he now requires of us.—1 John 5:3.

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments—of God, Not Men
THE Ten Commandments are without doubt the best-known part of the Bible. Jew, Catholic and Protestant are familiar with them. The righteousness and wisdom they manifest testify to their being of superhuman origin. Eloquently they add their testimony to the Bible’s being the Divine Revelation.
“The brevity, comprehensiveness, forcefulness . . . of the Ten Commandments has caused them to stand out from all other teaching.”1 “No religious document has ever exercised a greater influence on the moral and social life of man than the . . . Decalogue.”2 “The commandments . . . in themselves appeal to us as coming from a superhuman divine source, and no conscientious or reasonable man has yet been able to find a flaw in them. Absolutely flawless, negative in terms, but positive in meaning, they easily stand at the head of our whole moral system, and no nation or people can long continue a happy existence in open violation of them.”3 “All the massive bulk of our English and American law may be reduced to a few very grand principles underlying the whole and which were enunciated by Moses.” The Ten Commandments have also been called “the greatest short moral code ever formulated,” and “the idealized model of all law.”4
Interestingly, the expression “Ten Commandments” is not found in the Bible. Instead, it speaks of them as the “Ten Words.” (Ex. 34:28; Deut. 4:13; 10:4) In the Septuagint version they are termed the déka, meaning “ten,” and lógoi, meaning “words,” from which we get the name Decalogue for the Ten Commandments. Fittingly there are ten of them, a symbol of completeness. And from the rest of the Scriptures we learn that Jehovah God used angels to transmit them through Moses to the sons of Israel and that it was “God’s finger” that wrote these ten commandments on two tablets of stone.—Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19; Ex. 31:18.
The Ten Commandments have been the target of Bible critics for many years. J. H. Breasted would have us believe that “the Egyptians possessed a standard of morals far superior to that of the Decalogue, over a thousand years before the Decalogue was written.”5 Yet the fact is that the Egyptians “were never able to renounce animal worship or to purge it of its grossness or to cease groveling before their kings or to despise the terrors of death or to think of having done in the grave with the delights of the flesh or to cast off magic.” And all this continued down to the last century before the Common Era.6
Particularly since January, 1902, when French archaeologists completed their discovery of the code of Hammurabi, critics of the Bible have endeavored to belittle the Decalogue by claiming that the Israelites borrowed it from this earlier Code, which consists of close to three hundred laws and covers practically every phase of human endeavor. But not so. Even though it may have antedated the Decalogue from 150 to 250 years, there is no basis for concluding that the Decalogue was borrowed from Hammurabi’s Code.7 The emphasis of the Decalogue is on the religious, that of the Code on the secular. Says a leading archaeologist: “A comparison of the code of Hammurabi as a whole with the Pentateuchal laws as a whole, while it reveals certain similarities, convinces the student that the laws of the Old Testament are in no essential way dependent upon the Babylonian laws. Such resemblances as there are arose, it seems clear, from a similarity of antecedents and of general intellectual outlook; the striking differences show that there was no direct borrowing.”8
JEHOVAH GOD FIRST
The “Ten Words” are stated in incisive, terse language, consisting of but 120 words in the Hebrew text.9 They reveal a wisdom and morality far above what fallen man would be able to achieve unaided. Logically, Jehovah God comes first. Yet that is just the opposite of the way worldly-wise men would have written it. University students in listing the commandments in order of importance put first man’s duty to man.10 But the first is the most important: “You must never have any other gods against my face.” Jehovah God, the One who brought Israel out of Egypt proved himself to be the Almighty God, the Most High, the Supreme Sovereign. He was therefore to have no rivals. The first commandment involved his office, his unique position.—Ex. 20:3.
The second commandment forbade idolatry; it involved Jehovah’s person, his Being; making an idol or representation of him was an affront to the glory of his Personage: “You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the iniquity of fathers upon sons down to the great-grandsons and great-great-grandsons in the case of those who hate me, but exercising loving-kindness toward thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”—Ex. 20:4-6.
In view of the creature worship in Egypt and the idolatry rampant in Canaan, this law was most vital. The human tendency is to make representations to aid in worship, with the result that the representation rather than God gets the worship. Divine wisdom foresaw that tendency. It is of interest that archaeologists have never found any representation of Jehovah in their diggings. When the Israelites fell from true worship, they made idols of pagan deities and worshiped them.11—Deut. 4:15-20.
Not to be overlooked is the positive element in the second commandment: Jehovah’s loving-kindness is toward those that love him and obey his commandments. The sins of the fathers being visited on their descendants is no injustice but merely the outworking of the inexorable laws of retribution and heredity. Nor is Jehovah a “jealous” (AV) God as humans are jealous, because of selfishness or weakness. No, he requires the “exclusive devotion” of his creatures because that is his due and because rendering it is a safeguard to his creatures. If he failed to require it he would be denying himself as well as manifesting indifference to his creatures’ welfare.
The third commandment reads: “You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way, for Jehovah will not leave the one unpunished who takes up his name in a worthless way.” (Ex 20:7) No doubt the primary purpose of this commandment was to prohibit the name of Jehovah being used in a disrespectful, profane or blasphemous manner. Some who fail to notice the prominence that Jehovah gives to his name throughout his Word question why this should be one of the Ten Commandments. By extension this commandment would also be directed against giving Jehovah lip service, claiming to be one of Jehovah’s people and yet not living up to what is required of such a one. When the nation of Israel became apostate they were in effect taking Jehovah’s name in vain.—Isa. 43:10.
Without parallel in any other ancient code of laws is the fourth commandment: “Remembering the sabbath day to hold it sacred, you are to render service and you must do all your work six days. But the seventh day is a sabbath to Jehovah your God. You must not do any work, you nor your son nor your daughter, your slave man nor your slave girl nor your domestic animal nor your temporary resident who is inside your gates. For in six days Jehovah made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them and he proceeded to rest on the seventh day. That is why Jehovah blessed the sabbath day and proceeded to make it sacred.”—Ex. 20:8-11.
This law, while it reminded the Israelites of the propriety of working, acted primarily as a deterrent to their becoming materialistic. Implicit in it was love of God, love of oneself in a wholesome, proper way, and love of one’s neighbor. The seventh day belonged to God; by not working on it they paid their due, a token, as it were, to Jehovah for everything they were able to procure by working the six days. In a tangible way they thereby acknowledged their Creator, and not only by not working, but by worshiping him on that day: “If in view of the sabbath you will turn back your foot as regards doing your own delights on my holy day, and will actually call the sabbath an exquisite delight as belonging to the Holy One, Jehovah, who is being glorified, and will actually glorify it rather than doing your own ways,” then Jehovah God will bless you.—Isa. 58:13.
Additionally this law looked to the welfare of all living creatures in Israel. One could not even drive himself incessantly, but had to rest one day in seven; also, one’s family, one’s slaves, the foreigner; and not overlooked were the beasts of burden. One and all were to have surcease from wearisome, arduous toil one day in seven. The ancient Romans ridiculed the wastefulness of one day’s rest in seven; the godless French revolutionists tried to introduce the decimal system, one day’s rest in ten, but it did not work. Its value is appreciated by all today, even though few use it to honor God.
HUMAN RELATIONS
The first commandment involved Jehovah God’s position and office, the second his Being or Person, the third his name, the fourth his right, due or tax, as it were. These four are generally listed as relating to God and the remaining six as relating to man, to human relations. The fifth commandment, however, may be said to involve both, in that the parents served as God’s representatives, and in honoring and obeying them one was honoring and obeying Jehovah. It required: “Honor your father and your mother in order that your days may prove long upon the ground that Jehovah your God is giving you.” (Ex. 20:12) This commandment, the only one with a promise, got at the root of matters, thereby preventing juvenile delinquency. The implication, of course, is that the parents were obeying God’s law themselves. Other parts of the law of Moses showed that this law had sanctions, teeth, as it might be said. Flagrant violators of this law were stoned to death. (Deut. 21:18-21) Children who honored and respected their parents would be inclined to be respectful to all their elders and thereby follow the course that would prove most wholesome to themselves.
Coming to the next five commandments, we find that in the Hebrew these are stated most bluntly, as, for example, “You must not murder!” It is only in respect to these that a comparison can be drawn between the Decalogue and the codes of other peoples. But that should not prove surprising. Even Cain recognized that his murdering his brother Abel deserved death. Thus in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, written centuries before the Decalogue, we read of one’s pleading one’s virtue in that one had not murdered, stolen, committed adultery or borne false witness.12
The arrangement of these last five commandments is most meaningful, being in order from the greatest to the least harm done to one’s neighbor. Thus the sixth commandment forbids taking the life of one’s neighbor; the seventh, his wife; the eighth, his property. Going from deeds to words, the ninth forbids speaking falsely against him, and the tenth prohibits selfish thoughts against one’s neighbor. This last law is also unique to the Ten Commandments. No man or body of lawmakers ever dreamed of passing a law against coveting. Why not? Because there is no human way of enforcing it. Yet Jehovah made it part of the Decalogue. Why? Because thereby he got at the source or cause of breaking the other commandments involving one’s neighbor, namely, selfishness. And while men could not enforce such a law, Jehovah God in giving it made each one of his people his own spiritual or moral policeman, as it were; made each one accountable to God that he did not desire anything belonging to his neighbor.
Since the Ten Commandments, from beginning to end, both in what they proscribe as well as in their arrangement, clearly demonstrate that Jehovah God alone could be their Author, does this mean that Christians are still bound by them? No, that does not necessarily follow. God can both make and abrogate his laws. The Decalogue, together with about 600 other laws of the Mosaic Law Code, as well as their sanctions such as stoning, was nailed to Jesus’ torture stake by Jehovah God, thereby freeing Christians from the Decalogue. Christians “are not under law but under undeserved kindness.” And in the place of the Decalogue Christians have God’s spirit and love as forces for righteousness. However, the basic principles of the Ten Commandments have not been canceled; they will ever apply. Just how these appear in God’s commandments for Christians we leave for a future issue of this journal to tell.—Rom. 6:14; 13:8-10; Eph. 2:14-16; Col. 2:16, 17.
REFERENCES
1 Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics.
2 The Pentateuch and Haftorahs, Exodus.
3 Moore v. Strickliny (1899).
4 Clark’s Biblical Law.
5 Ancient Records of Egypt—Breasted.
6 The Book of Books: An Introduction—S. Goldman.
7 Archaeology and Bible History—Free.
8 Archaeology and the Bible—Barton.
9 The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia.
10 Foundations for Reconstruction—E. Trueblood.
11 Journal of Near Eastern Studies—G. E. Wright.
12 Light from the Ancient Past—Finnegan.

Story about montel williams/Ms

I'd heard of multiple sclerosis, but I didn't really know what it was. I knew it meant excruciating pain and that eventually I could lose control of my body. I also knew there was no cure. That was enough to plunge me into the depths of despair.During the next two months, I experienced the lowest moments of my life. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. I became so despondent that I considered ending it all. But I knew my children and my family loved me and depended on me, and I couldn't let them down.It became clear that I had a choice to make. I could spend the rest of my life feeling sorry for myself as the victim of a tragic fate. Or I could view my illness as a call to action -- an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of millions who suffer from MS and their loved ones. As the host of my own nationally syndicated television talk show, I realized I had unique resources at my disposal to meet the MS challenge head on. I had both the means and the method to get the most up-to-date information available on MS from the planet's foremost authorities and spread the word. I sought out the experts at Harvard Medical School. I traveled to Sweden for evaluation and treatment at the renowned Karolinska Institute. I read every book and article I could get my hands on, and I talked to countless people like myself who live every day with MS. I learned that I had been having MS episodes off and on for more than 20 years, but like so many, I was in denial about my illness.Then in 1999, I went public with my battle against MS. Although I was warned that this disclosure could harm my career, I couldn't remain silent. I have one of the biggest mouths on this planet, and I decided to keep using it until everyone everywhere knows about MS, what can be done to fight it, and a cure is found.To make this happen, I started The Montel Williams MS Foundation. Every dollar raised goes to research dedicated toward a cure for MS. I've also allied myself with Spotlight Health to promote widespread awareness of this dreadful disease because early diagnosis and treatment can help arrest suffering and loss of function. Research shows that early diagnosis and treatment prevents the progression of MS.The world needs to know the warning signs of MS and the treatment options available. The world needs to understand that many more people have MS than current data indicates. The world needs to mobilize against MS and knock it out for good. I believe to the depth of my soul that all of these goals can be achieved. It will take courage and commitment, but these are qualities we can help each other find in ourselves. I know we can build a future of hope and health, and together we're going to win.


Daytime Emmy award-winner Montel Williams has established himself as a top player in the competitive daytime talk show arena since his debut in 1991. He is also a decorated former naval intelligence officer and a renowned motivational speaker, author, actor and philanthropist.
In 1999, Montel faced his most challenging year to date with the announcement of his diagnosis with multiple sclerosis (MS), a potentially debilitating autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. In an effort to raise funds for MS research, Montel created The Montel Williams MS Foundation. Montel is committed to raising awareness, raising funds for research and providing inspiration to those who have MS.
In 2000, Montel created Mountain Movers Press, to publish the thoughts and views of today's forward thinkers. Montel's author royalties from the company's first release, Life Lessons and Reflections, an inspirational quote book, went toward finding a cure for MS. Montel is also the author of the New York Times best seller, Mountain, Get Out Of My Way, an autobiographical and motivational book. He co-authored the books Practical Parenting and Body Change, a New York Times best selling fitness book.
In June 2000, Montel and The Montel Williams Show were recognized with the "Beacon Award" from the New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA) for his leadership role in promoting the advancement of psychology as a socially responsible profession. NYSPA granted Montel the award for his "commitment to bringing psychological information to a large audience of real people."
In 1999, Montel was presented with a PRISM Award, receiving the Larry Stewart Leadership and Inspiration Award from the Entertainment Industries Council for serving as a role model for the entertainment industry. His concern and dedication to the The Montel Williams Show and its guests are evidenced by his creation of the show's After-Care Program started in 1992. The program has arranged for many guests to attend psychological counseling sessions, weight-loss programs, drug rehabilitation centers, motivational camps and treatment for eating disorders.
In 2003 Montel was presented with the AFTRA Disability Awareness Award, News & Broadcasting. Montel enjoys acting and has appeared on several television programs, including JAG, All My Children, American Dreams, and Touched by an Angel. He recently had a small role in Noon Blue Apples, a low-budget independent film that was in the Sundance Film Festival and he made his directorial debut with Little Pieces, a full-length independent film for which he is currently seeking distribution. He has appeared off-Broadway in The Exonerated, a play about men and women who have been exonerated from death row. He remains committed to his roots as a motivational speaker and continues to reach out to groups across the country with messages of hope and inspiration on how to move life's mountains. He also advocates for animal rights, speaks out for teen empowerment, has supported veterans' causes and anti-drug initiatives. Montel is very passionate about the many causes he embraces. He tries to live by one of his favorite quotes from Winston Churchill, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

Please visit his website: http://www.montelms.org to learn more.

He has inspired many.

MS-disease

I was watching today, on t.v. about the true hollywood story of Montel williams, who is an anchor for his own t.v show. What struck me the most about this series of a celebrities life, is that they are just like everyone else. They have the same diseases that we have. No matter who they are or what they do we are all human. He went through alot, he didnt find out till late in his life that he had MS. Ms is a very intense disease. He tried to comitt suicide twice. His marriage broke up because of this.

And he is still climbing higher.... check out his book as well. Talks about him and his disease. I believe that through him we can all experience this horrible disease. For our benefit. To learn more of who people really are and what they are going through.

As a person who had cancer, my heart goes out to everyone who has a disease. I am not only looking forward to learning more about myself but also look forward to learning about others. please read some of this information. Maybe we can learn together.

Chrissy


MS 101BEGIN CONTENT -->

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, long-term condition that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord. MS is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks itself, targeting the cells, tissues, and organs.
MS is part of the family of autoimmune diseases that includes:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Psoriasis
Type 1 Diabetes
Lupus
Crohn's Disease
Scientists now believe that MS results from an abnormal response to an infection or an environmental factor. Numerous studies show that genetics may play a role in the development of MS, but are not the sole cause of the disease.
MS affects over 400,000 people in the US, and may affect 2.5 million people worldwide.

Did you know...?

MS affects women 2-3 times more often than men

MS is most common in people with northern European ancestry

Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50

This is just a broad overview of MS. If you want to learn more, you can read the complete MS story, including a list of the common symptoms and treatments, by clicking here. To sign up for free MS eNewsletters from MS ActiveSource click here.
Living with MS is definitely a challenge, and not just for the person with MS. MS challenges your loved ones as well. But there are ways to address those challenges and implement them to help make life easier for you. One way is to get on treatment and stay on treatment. You and your doctor can decide together what treatment is right for you.
Another way is to make changes in your everyday lifestyle that can help improve the way you feel. This can include a health & fitness plan, a plan to better use your time and energy, or even modifications to your home, to name just a few. But to be successful, you need to take an active role in managing your MS. Without your active participation, it will be difficult for the rest of your healthcare team to optimize your care. Why short-change yourself?
So that's why you are here - on the MS Leaders of Hope website! Now is your chance to show your stuff! We want to know what your challenge was, the idea you had to help you overcome it, how you implemented your idea, what the outcome was, and how you inspired others through your own action.

child molesters/Oprah show

Today I checked oprah.com out to see what was new and here she is doing her best to protect our children. Her website has pictures of child molesters on it that have not been found. As a mother I read every single one of those profiles. two have been found.

I believe that we can all do our part and help by looking at this website everyday just to keep our eyes focused on their looks and if we ever ever see one of them turn them in ASAP. Immediately for all childrens sake.

I found it most frightening that the lady who helped capture one of the men, he was living upstairs from her and she saw this website and couldn't believe it. She even did his laundry, to her horror and helped him because he broke his leg. SHe has small children and can you imagine her terror.

So, these sick, degenerate people, do not register themselves do not let anyone know what they have done, and are still out their doing this to children, to our prescious heritage and future generations.

Just please take a peek, at her website. I would appreciate it.

Telemarketers and rudeness

If you do not want telemarketers to call your house and hang up you can check this website out and call them or email them or even submit your information. www.donotcall.gov This reason I am giving this to you is for your sanity as well as mine.

For the last week, I have recieved over 50 phone calls and recieved at least 40 percent of those in hang ups. They would ask me for my husbands name and when I would say no he's not here can I take a message they hang up on me. Then every time they would call and I would say hello, they would still hang up on me without responding otherwise.

I used to be a customer service representative a long while ago, took my job very seriously, I never in my wildest dreams would disrespect a customer or potential customer in this way. I believe if they wanted to sell you something they can do it better than what they have been taught.

They are giving salespersons a bad name. I know what they do is hard, but disrespecting potential clients in this form has done nothing for me.

It has made me really mad.

So, to protect the rest of the world from telemarketers hanging up on me and others here is my bit to help against the rudest people on earth.

Thanks for your time.

chrissy

Friends

Friends are born, not made. * Henry Adams

Forsake not an old friend, for a new one does not compare with him. * Apocrypha --

Ecclesiasticus 9:10 My best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake. Aristotle

Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies. * Aristotle

This communicating of a man's self to his friend works two contrary effects; for it redoubleth joys, and cutteth griefs in half. * Francis Bacon

Friendship is a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of one another. * Eustace Budgell

Don't believe your friends when they ask you to be honest with them. All they really want is to be maintained in the good opinion they have of themselves. * Albert Camus

How can sincerity be a condition of friendship? A taste for truth at any cost is a passion which spares nothing. * Albert Camus

Friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship--never. * Charles Caleb Colton

What a wretched lot of old shrivelled creatures we shall be by-and-by. Never mind--the uglier we get in the eyes of others, the lovelier we shall be to each other; that has always been my firm faith about friendship. * George Eliot

A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature. * Ralph Waldo Emerson It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. * Ralph Waldo Emerson

The only way to have a friend is to be one. * Ralph Waldo Emerson

Real friendship is shown in times of trouble; prosperity is full of friends. * Euripedes

It is in the thirties that we want friends. In the forties we know they won't save us any more than love did. * F. Scott Fitzgerald

No man can be happy without a friend, nor be sure of his friend till he is unhappy. * Thomas Fuller

Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you. * Elbert Hubbard

My father always used to say that when you die, if you've got five real friends, you've had a great life. * Lee Iacocca

A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire. * François Duc de La Rochefoucauld

However rare true love may be, it is less so than true friendship. * François Duc de La Rochefoucauld

The most deadly fruit is borne by the hatred which one grafts on an extinguished friendship. * Gotthold Ephraim

Lessing It's no good trying to keep up old friendships. It's painful for both sides. The fact is, one grows out of people, and the only thing is to face it. * W. Somerset Maugham

We know our friends by their defects rather than by their merits. * W. Somerset Maugham

If a man should importune me to give a reason why I loved him, I find it could no otherwise be expressed, than by making answer: because it was he, because it was I. * Michel de Montaigne

Love demands infinitely less than friendship. * George Jean Nathan

Women can form a friendship with a man very well; but to preserve it--to that end a slight physical antipathy must probably help. * Friedrich Nietzsche

Hold a true friend with both your hands. * Nigerian Proverb

To me, fair friend, you never can be old For as you were when first your eye I eyed, Such seems your beauty still. * William Shakespeare

Friendship is constant in all other things Save in the office and affairs of love. * William Shakespeare

The proper office of a friend is to side with you when you are in the wrong. Nearly anybody will side with you when you are in the right. * Mark Twain

Friendship is the marriage of the soul, and this marriage is liable to divorce. * Voltaire

Between men and women there is no friendship possible. There is passion, enmity, worship, love, but no friendship. * Oscar Wilde

Carb-Phobia

Carb-phobia: Should I Avoid Carbs?
Low carb diets have been hot topics in the news since the beginning of the year. Advertisements for low carb products have inundated the marketplace too, pitching everything from low carb snacks and candy bars to low carb beers and sodas. Is this trend still growing, or is beginning to decline?
According to a new survey recently released by the marketing research firm, InsightExpress, it appears that the low carb craze is beginning to wane. Half of Americans who have tried low carb diets have given them up. In fact, fewer than 10% of Americans are currently on a low carb diet and even fewer are likely to begin one. Consumers were also asked what are their top nutritional considerations when shopping for groceries. According to the survey, the top three considerations are:
the food’s total calorie content (40%),
the food’s total fat content (37%) and
the food’s calories from fat (32%).
Only one-third felt that carbohydrate content is important to consider.
While advertising and the media have focused a lot of attention on low carb diets and products, healthcare professionals have continued to emphasize the importance of following a low fat diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, whole-grains, and lean protein. Recent research studies have also disproved the misconception that weight loss is faster and greater on a low carb diet. One clinical trial showed that while subjects lost weight faster initially on a low carb diet, the amount of weight loss after one year was similar to the group that followed the traditional diet low fat diet for weight loss.
When it comes to weight loss, calories are the key. By focusing on calories, a person does not need to avoid entire food groups, buy special low carb products or give up their favorite foods to lose weight. By balancing food choices and using moderation, a person can continue to enjoy their own personal eating style while still losing weight, enhancing health and promoting long-term habits that are easy to maintain for a lifetime.
Because Jenny Craig is tailored to meet each client's needs and lifestyle, they will receive a customized menu based on the foods that they enjoy eating on a regular basis. This approach is ideal and can support the client’s weight loss goals. Whether they are looking for a menu that includes pasta, cake and other "carbs," or a higher protein option that features nuts, lowfat dairy, and lean protein, there is a menu that meets their preferences. The Jenny Craig Program is designed to meet each client's needs and theirs alone, so that each client can lose weight the way they want and go on to maintain their weight loss goal for life

Food & Nutrition / Recipes
Ravioli with Bell Pepper SauceRecipe

This recipe serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes

Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
2 small green bell peppers, chopped
1 cup tomato sauce
16 ounces fresh cheese ravioli
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a simmer.
2. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the onion and peppers and cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Meanwhile, cook the ravioli in the simmering water until they float, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and toss with the sauce. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 4 oz. ravioli with sauce
Calories 201
Total Fat 7 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Protein 9 g
Total Carbohydrate 28 g
Dietary Fiber 5 g
Sodium 450 mg
Percent Calories from Fat 29%
Percent Calories from Protein 17%
Percent Calories from Carbohydrate 54%

Cucumbers – Refreshingly CoolSunday, September 18, 2005

Popularly and lovingly referred to as “cukes,” cucumbers are a cool companion for the scorching summer months. Often gracing towering salads, delicate tea sandwiches, and even finding their way into refreshing and exotic yogurt dishes, cucumbers are a mainstay in the produce department, having been around for literally thousands of years. One bite into a crunchy, fresh cucumber, and you’ll see why these green wonders are a favorite during hot weather, and a regular companion on veggie trays across the globe…

Cucumbers 101
While many regard cucumbers as one of their favorite vegetables, cucumbers are actually a fruit, botanically speaking. They are part of the Cucurbitaceae family, closely related to zucchini, squash, pumpkins, and melons. These Cucumis sativus are a refreshingly cool, mildly sweet, crisp summer crop that is available year round, thanks to imports from Mexico and greenhouse-grown varieties.




Cucumbers – Refreshingly Cool(cont'd)Sunday, September 18, 2005


Two basic varieties of cucumbers exist: Slicing cucumbers and pickling cucumbers. Pickling cucumbers are small and squat with bumpy, lighter green skins. Most cucumbers grown for pickling end up pickled, although one variety, called the Kirby, is sometimes sold fresh, enjoyed for its crisp flesh, tiny seeds and thin skins. Slicing varieties are either field-grown and waxed to increase shelf-life, or greenhouse-grown and shrink-wrapped in plastic to maintain freshness. Field-grown slicing cucumbers are generally six to nine inches in length, with lines of seeds down the middle, while greenhouse varieties can exceed 20 inches in length, are more slender, and seedless. Cucumbers without seeds are easier to digest, which is why they are often called “burpless” cucumbers.

Selection, Storage & Cooking
When selecting a cucumber, first decide whether you want the waxed, grocery-store variety, which you’ll have to peel completely to remove the wax, or the greenhouse (European) variety, which is wax-free and can be consumed whole (these will be shrink-wrapped in plastic). Once you decide, look for a cucumber that is even in color with no yellow sports, firm to the touch, free of bruises, and without a shriveled skin. Thicker cucumbers will have more, larger seeds, whereas slender cucumbers are more tender and either seedless or low on seeds. Cucumbers can be stored whole in the refrigerator for up to seven days, or one to two days if already cut up. Wrap cucumbers tightly in plastic to avoid shriveled, rubbery skin.



Cucumbers – Refreshingly Cool(cont'd)Sunday, September 18, 2005

Cucumbers are a key “cooling” ingredient in many dishes, especially in Indian cuisine, where it is mixed with yogurt, herbs and spices and served aside spicy dishes. Cucumbers are especially wonderful in green salads, chunky vegetable salads (such as with vine-ripened tomatoes, red onion and vinaigrette). A favorite dish in many families is a quick-pickled cucumber, which can easily be made by slicing cucumbers, squeezing lemon juice over top, sprinkling with herbs (like dill, tarragon, basil or mint) and topping off with vinegar. To add a bit of “cool” to your lunch, try our Chicken Wraps with Cucumber.

Nutritional Benefits
Cucumbers are 96% water, but don’t hold much nutritional value, although they do supply a small, yet significant amount of vitamin C per serving. Remember, fruits and vegetables that are colorful on the inside (not just the skin) are more nutrient-rich, versus plant foods that are white or barely pigmented on the inside, like cucumbers. Still, cucumbers are part of a healthy low-calorie diet and can help you meet your weight loss goals.



Cucumbers – Refreshingly Cool(cont'd)Sunday, September 18, 2005

Nutritional Benefits
- ½ cup Cucumber -
Calories
7
Fat
0
Carbohydrates
1g total (0 dietary fiber)
Protein
0
Nutrient RDAs
3mg vitamin C
5%

Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day supplies your body with essential nutrition, and also helps keep calories in check. Just ½ cup of cucumber counts as one serving, and adding cucumber to your arsenal of healthy foods is a great way to aim for "5-A-Day" while also adding variety to your meals.

Food for thought

Lettuce – More than Just another LeafWednesday, October 12, 2005


What’s for lunch? Well if you’re trying to slim down, or looking for a heart-healthy meal, a hearty salad might just be the answer. Underneath the frill and the fuss of all the various salad toppings – crisp vegetables, tart citrus fruits, grilled meats, crispy bacon, toasted nuts, and any variety of cheeses – is the humble lettuce leaf. What some people might dismiss as a “filler” food is really a nutritional powerhouse. At only 10 calories per cup, and packed with essential nutrients, why not consider lettuce in your next meal?

Lettuce 101
The history of lettuce dates back thousands of years, but it’s not until recently that individuals have begun consuming so much of it. Worldwide availability has made lettuce and other leafy greens a staple in numerous cultures across the globe. In fact, it’s estimated that adults now consume about 30 pounds of lettuce each year. Why is lettuce so popular? Well, it may be the fact that research has shown that eating salads before meals helps you eat 100 fewer calories by the end of the meal.

There are four basic categories of lettuce: iceberg, loose leaf, Butterhead and romaine. Iceberg lettuce has, for many years, been the lettuce of choice in most households, despite its relatively low nutritional content. Fans of iceberg love it for its crunch and cool, crisp flavor. Loose leaf lettuce actually covers a variety of lettuce leaves, and is defined as lettuce leaves that don’t form heads as they grow. Loose leaf lettuce is a great plant for home-growers as the leaves can be frequently picked without halting the growth of the rest of the plant. Butterhead lettuce, including Bibb and Boston lettuces, are mild green on the outer leaves, yellow-green on the inside, and have a soft, velvety, or “buttery” texture. Finally, romaine lettuce – the lettuce of Caesar salad lovers – is crisp and cool, with a stronger flavor than other lettuces, but not at all bitter.

Eating Healthier-Keeping foods to eat safe

Keeping Healthy Foods Safe To Eat
If you're changing lifestyle or trying to lose weight, a new, healthier you will invariably include a new, healthier diet in which fruits and veggies play a vital part.
But many attempting to cultivate healthier eating habits may be unfamiliar with the safe handling and preparation of raw foods from the field. The purpose of this article is to provide simple tips that will both enhance your dining pleasure and ensure that your produce starts the meal with a clean bill of health.
It's A Long Way From The Farm To The Fork
During picking, shipping, packing and storage, there are many opportunities for healthy foods to contact potentially unhealthy contaminants. Before it gets to you, produce may be exposed to pesticide residue, bacteria, everyday dirt and more. Here are some recommendations for keeping food safe to eat:
Thoroughly rinse all fruits and vegetables under running water before eating-even those with a peel, skin or rind that isn't normally eaten, like melons, citrus and bananas-to prevent the transfer of bacteria to the inside during slicing.
Use a small vegetable brush to remove any visible surface dirt.
For leafy vegetables, like lettuce and spinach, remove a few outer leaves and break open the head. Remove individual leaves and gently rinse, massaging between the thumb and forefinger. Place clean leaves in a colander and drain thoroughly.
Do not use soap, detergents or bleach. These can leave a potentially harmful residue.
Damaged or bruised areas can harbor bacteria, so make sure you remove them before eating.
Wash and prepare produce just before you want to eat it. Cleaning then storing can actually accelerate spoilage.
Many consumers and restaurant professionals use a commercially available "vegetable wash." However, neither the FDA nor the Department of Agriculture recommends them, citing inconclusive evidence of their cleaning effectiveness.
Whether you're new to weight management or simply seeking a healthier lifestyle, adding fruits and vegetables to your diet can be very beneficial. It can also open the door to many nutritious new flavor combinations and taste experiences. So go ahead. Enjoy Mother Nature's bounty. Just remember to wash up before you eat.

ten minutes a day

Get Healthy in 10 Minutes
Many of us long for it. But few of us are genetically blessed to have it.
"It" is the so-called "perfect body" paraded before us in television commercials, in department store print ads, and on our favorite sitcoms. "It" is also often the result of poor eating habits and over-zealous exercise regimens.
For most of us, honing a "perfect" body like that is not only unattainable, it's downright unhealthy. A leaner, stronger body, on the other hand, is something that most of us can achieve with a little work, motivation and less time than you may think.
You don't have to make all encompassing, sweeping changes in your life. Here are some ways to get you on your way to a healthier body:
Take a 10-minute "walk break" instead of a "coffee break" at work.
Walk the kids all the way to school.
Do resistance activities while waiting in line.
Exercise for 10 minutes. Whether it's walking, working out to an exercise video or lifting light weights, three 10-minute bouts add up to the 30 minutes of exercise that experts recommend you do on most days of the week!
Take 10 minutes to vacuum (you'll burn 38 calories), garden (50 calories), or push the lawn mower around (70 calories).
Take your dog for a 10-minute walk and burn approximately 42 calories in the process!
Make your next 10-minute walk a meditative experience. Focus on your breathing. Be conscious of your posture. Feel your stride. See how awareness can relax your body and rejuvenate your spirit.

spa quality meals

Make Your Summer Meals Spa-tacular
Chef Cary Neff Shares Simple Tips for Healthy, Delicious Cooking
Anyone who has enjoyed a spa vacation knows that having body, mind and soul nurtured is an unforgettably sublime experience. Combine the pampering body treatments with luscious cuisine, and you can’t help but relax and unwind.
Ah, yes … the food. Light-yet-satisfying, delicious and healthy. According to spa chef Cary Neff, author of Conscious Cuisine and culinary consultant for Jenny Craig, Inc., the good news is you don’t have to leave home to enjoy spa-quality meals. All it takes is a conscious desire to prepare great-tasting foods with wellness in mind.
“My passion is creating healthy food featuring fine ingredients that are artfully combined and beautifully presented,” says Neff. “I think of it as a fusion of flavors, textures and nutrients to fuel a healthy body and mind.” Here are a few of his secrets:
Savor seasonings
Fresh-picked herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley and rosemary add depth to any meal, and can be the base for terrific herb vinaigrettes, purees, pestos or dry rubs.
Finesse fat
When flavor is critical, use a small amount of the real thing, such as pumpkin seeds, olive oil or walnuts. When it’s not, use fat-free sour cream, light mayonnaise or broth.
Select smart foods
Boldly flavored broccoli and red pepper, hearty black beans and corn, and whole grains like quinoa and barley add taste, texture and a powerhouse of nutrients.
Look for luscious
Take the natural sweetness of ripe berries, melons and tropical fruits, accent with other fresh ingredients, and create scrumptious sauces, salads, salsas and soups.
Speaking of summer’s seasonal bounty, this light-and-easy recipe can be served as a salad, appetizer, dessert - even over cereal or ice cream!

mastering your munchies

Mastering Your Munchies
“Snack Attacks” Can Be Scheduled Into Any Busy Workday
You know the feeling. You’re halfway through an important meeting, in the midst of a crucial sales negotiation, or in the final throes of nailing down your fiscal budget. Out of nowhere they hit: the munchies. And if you’re like most people, you head to the vending machine, grab the nearest candy bar, and get right back to work.
Sound familiar? If you’re one of those people who are genetically blessed, that might not be the end of the world. But if you’re one of the majority of Americans who struggle with their weight, mindless munching can make the difference between shedding – and gaining – several pounds each year.
“Snacking between meals is a healthy habit because it fuels the metabolism, maximizes energy, and helps you avoid overeating at lunch and dinner,” says Jennifer Kim, Jenny Craig Corporate Dietitian. Choosing the wrong snack foods, however, can easily result in an overabundance of needless calories and fat.
“Fresh fruits and vegetables are always excellent choices, as they fill you up and provide a wealth of vitamins and nutrients,” adds Kim. “Other items that can easily be brought from home are nonfat yogurt, cottage cheese/fruit combinations, mandarin orange tins, and low-fat cheese and crackers.”
If you forget to bring a healthy snack from home, all is not lost. Simply refer to the list below, and you can enjoy a tasty, nutritious mid-morning or mid-afternoon treat that can help fuel you up for the rest of your day.
Vending Machine Do’s
Pretzels, sun chips or baked chips
Tomato or 100% fruit juice
Cookies that are packed in 4-6 per can – save some for another day
Turkey or ham sandwich – go light on mayo and other higher fat ingredients
Trail mix - one that is primarily nuts and dried fruit
Diet soda or water
Sports nutrition bars - good for that chocolate craving. May be comparable in calories to many candy bars, but are vitamin-fortified and higher in protein.
Vending Machine Don’ts
Chips - typically higher in fat and calories
Juice drinks – tend to be mostly sugar
Bagged cookies/snacks - easy to eat the whole thing, which is usually two or more servings
Tuna/Egg salad sandwich - can't control the mayo as it's mixed throughout
But what about when that box of donuts beckons … the candles are lit on your colleague’s birthday cake … or you hear the siren song of your co-worker’s homemade brownies? If you decide to indulge, just do so in moderation. Eat only one Krispy Kreme, savor every bite, and then put a healthy distance between you and the box. For special celebrations, have a piece of birthday cake but just enjoy a few bites and then set the rest aside. The key is moderation, not deprivation.
A last good point to keep in mind is “calories in, calories out.” If you find yourself noshing on a few more cookies than you should, or are just interested in stretching your legs every now and then, try incorporating some of the following “natural activities” into your workday:
Instead of
Try
Taking a coffee break
Taking a walk break
Spending your lunch hour just eating
Eating, then taking a 15-minute walk outside the building, or up and down the stairs inside if the weather is inclement
Working all day at your computer
Taking a five-minute walk break every hour
Sending an e-mail
Taking a memo to the mailroom or your colleagues’ work areas

Low carb diets: myth or miracle?

Low Carb Diets: Myth or Miracle?
Turn on the television, tune in the radio, or open any magazine and you're bound to bump into a story about low carb diets. Low carb diets have made a come back - and created controversy. What is a low carb diet? Does it work? Will it keep the weight off? To answer those questions, we turned to our Jenny Craig Medical Advisory Board, 7 recognized experts in nutrition, exercise and lifestyle change for healthy weight management.
Carbs 101
Carbohydrates are the body's major energy source, providing the calories not just for running a marathon, but for basic functions like breathing, eating and sleeping. Carbohydrates form the foundation of a healthy menu. They can be found in whole grains, corn, potatoes, pasta, rice, vegetables, fruits and milk/yogurt. Carbohydrates also include added sugars like sucrose (table sugar), honey, cornstarch and corn syrup. To be used by the body, all carbs must be broken down into the simplest form, glucose.
What Counts as Low Carb?
Because there is no FDA-approved definition of "low carb," food manufacturers can decide how much and what kind of carbs or carb replacements they want to put into a product. As for low carb diets, many start out with as little as 20 grams of carbohydrate per day and build to no more than 40 grams on an ongoing basis. This is far below the 130 gram daily minimum recommended by most health experts.
The Rationale for Low Carbs
Low carb diets are based on the mistaken belief that carbohydrates raise blood insulin, which then leads to weight gain. The truth is, it's not carbs, but extra weight from excess calories, that boosts insulin. And weight loss, regardless of what type of calories you eat, will bring insulin levels down.
Why People Lose on Low Carb Diets
In the initial phase of carbohydrate restriction, most of the weight loss results from the breakdown of glycogen, the body's stored form of carbohydrate. Glycogen holds water and its breakdown results in what appears to be dramatic weight loss. Just remember, most of that loss is from water, not fat. Over time, glycogen stores are used up. The body turns to protein and fat for fuel, and the rate of weight loss begins to slow down.
Can Certain Carbs Make You Gain?
One variation on the low carb diet uses a rating scale called glycemic index to separate out "good" carbs from "bad" ones. Glycemic index is a measurement of how quickly carbohydrates in food are turned into glucose. The theory is that high glycemic index foods are more quickly converted to glucose, and more likely to be stored as body fat. The theory also says eating high index foods leaves you feeling hungrier, and so you are more likely to overeat.
Glitches With The Glycemic Index
The problem with the theory is that research doesn’t support it. Even people with diabetes who regularly monitor their blood sugar levels are not advised to use the index. Studies have not confirmed that eating specific foods negatively affects insulin levels, blood sugar control or even hunger.
Another problem with glycemic index is that it is not very practical. Glycemic index is based on the score of a single food. However, we usually eat foods as a combination or part of a meal, versus alone. Also, the index is based on factors like ripeness and how a food is prepared. So, a ripe banana has a different rating than a green one, and a mashed potato has a different rating than a baked one. Finally, relying on the index alone for food choices may mean eliminating some higher-rated, but nutritious foods - like watermelon or corn - from your menu.
Given its lack of scientific proof and practicality, most health experts do not recommend glycemic index as a tool for meal planning.
It's Calories, Not Carbs, That Cause Weight Loss
It’s true that some short-term studies have shown that at three and six months, low carb diets result in more weight loss than conventional low-fat/high carb diets. The reason is, when given unrestricted calories, low carb eaters tend to eat fewer calories than high carb eaters. Regardless, researchers say it’s the reduction in calories, not the carbohydrates, that results in weight loss. When low and high carb eaters are placed on the same calorie level, there is no difference in weight loss.
Low Carb Diets Don't Last
Research shows that low carb dieters begin to fall off their diets at about six months – at one year, a study showed they had the same amount of weight loss as people on other low calorie diets. The latest research confirms past research – drastic diet changes don’t stick over time. Most of us find it easier to follow a plan that includes moderate amounts of the foods we typically eat.
The Downside of Cutting Carbs
For those who are able to follow a low carb diet for more than a few weeks, it’s important to consider long-term effects on health. Low carb diets restrict fruits, vegetables and whole-grains, the very foods that lower risk for heart disease and certain cancers.
Also, while low carb diets can produce a short-term drop in cholesterol, experts say it’s not the diet, but weight loss that gets the credit. And over time, no one knows the effect of eating 60% of your calories as fat and 20% of them as saturated fat on heart health and cancer risk.
The Key to Calorie Control is Portion Control
If research hasn’t proven that it’s carbs that count, then what it has proven is that calories do. Perhaps one of the most effective tools for controlling calories is a meal replacement – a pre-portioned entrée or snack. Portion control, using meal replacements, aids both weight loss and weight maintenance. Because people tend to eat a set volume of food, the visual of a pre-portioned meal acts as a signal to start-and-stop eating. That makes it easier to control calories – the ultimate determinant of weight loss.
Satisfaction Matters Too
Satisfaction is a complex issue. It involves psychological factors like the pleasure of eating favorite foods or enjoying a meal with family, as well as physical responses to specific food components. Often, a portion-controlled amount of a favorite food is “just enough” because it was what you were hungry for.
When it comes to the physical side of satisfaction, moderate amounts of lean protein may help curb hunger. However, fruits, vegetables and whole grains offer both fiber and volume – so they are satisfying for fewer calories than many other foods.
Balancing Health With the Pleasure of Eating
When you focus on calories, you don’t need to avoid entire food groups, buy special low carb products or give up your favorite foods in order to lose weight. By balancing your choices, you can continue to enjoy your personal eating style as you enhance your health.
The Jenny Craig Menus highlight balance, variety and moderation in food choices. Based on the guidelines of multiple health organizations, Jenny Craig Menus offer a calorie distribution of 55-60% carbohydrate, 20-25% protein and 20-25% fat. They also reflect the US Dietary Guidelines with an emphasis on fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains as a complement to Jenny Craig’s portion controlled entrées and snacks.
Recommended % of Total Calories
Institute of Medicine
American Heart Association
Jenny Craig
Carbs
45-65
55
55-60
Protein
10-35
15
20-25
Fat
20-35
30
20-25
Jenny Craig: A Total Solution
Ultimately, the question to ask is not “what is the most effective weight loss diet?” The more important question is “what is the most effective weight management diet,” and the answer is…it’s not a diet, but lifestyle. Science shows that the true solution to weight challenges is a comprehensive one. It’s a food/body/mind approach that includes a nutritious menu, a personalized activity plan and the motivational support to maintain positive changes. It strikes a balance between health and your personal tastes. That’s the program you can enjoy for life. That’s the program you get at Jenny Craig – it works!

common food myths

Common "Food" Myths
Myth: I shouldn't eat any fat.
Fact: Fat serves many important functions, such as storing energy, transporting certain vitamins and providing flavor and texture to foods. When it comes to weight loss, calories are the bottom line. Reduced-fat foods often have reduced calories compared to their full-fat counterparts. But, be sure to check the label, as some reduced-fat or fat-free foods have added sugar to maintain their flavor, which increases the calories. When it comes to health, moderate fat intake (20-35% of your calories) is recommended, mostly from unsaturated sources.
Myth: Certain foods can help burn fat.
Fact: There are no foods with magic fat-burning ingredients. Some foods with caffeine temporarily speed up your metabolism, but probably not enough to lead to weight loss.
Myth: Cutting out starches is the best way to lose weight.
Fact: A very low carbohydrate menu is not a healthy way to lose weight! It may stress your kidneys and cause headaches, dehydration and bad breath. It can also make you feel tired, weak, dizzy and nauseated. Although initial weight loss may be rapid, studies show that loss is mostly water and, over time, the total weight lost is no greater than with a more moderate plan. It is also difficult to follow such a restrictive diet over the long-term. Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, beans and other starches are not only rich in carbohydrates, they also provide fiber, vitamins and minerals. Eliminating these foods amy reduce nutrients that are important to prevent osteoporosis, heart disease and certain cancers. By following a nutrient-balanced menu like Jenny Craig's, you may both lose weight and reduce disease risk.
Myth: Eating after 8:00 p.m. leads to weight gain.
Fact: Your body burns food the same way no matter what time it is. What matters is: what you eat, how much you eat and how active you are. No matter when you eat, excess calories will be stored as fat. If you are eating high calorie/high fat foods while watching late night television, you may gain weight because of your food choices, not due to the time of day. Also, snacking while doing other things like watching television can easily lead to overeating, because distractions may cause you to lose track of how much you are eating.
Myth: I can only lose weight if I eat less than 1000 calories per day.
Fact: Consuming too few calories can send your body into "starvation mode." Your metabolism slows down, putting your body into a state of survival in which it conserves more of the calories you eat, making it more difficult for you to lose weight.

simple sides

Simple Sides
Try our quick and easy recipes for the added foods on your menu—from Jenny’s own staff of Registered Dietitians
Milk
Strawberry Milk ShakePour 1 cup nonfat milk in blender. Add 3-4 large frozen strawberries, 4 ice cubes and 1 packet sugar substitute. Blend until thick. Delete 1 milk and ½ fruit serving from your day’s menu.
Peanut Butter Banana Milk ShakePut 1 cup nonfat milk in blender. Add 1 small frozen banana and 2 tsps creamy peanut butter. Blend until smooth. Delete 1 milk, 1 fruit and 1 fat serving from your day’s menu.
Vegetables
Vegetable CoolerPour ½ cup low-sodium vegetable juice over ice in tall glass. Stir in 1 dash hot pepper sauce and 1 dash celery seed. Garnish with lime wheel.
Spinach SaladToss 1 cup spinach leaves, ½ cup mandarin oranges and ¼ cup red onion slices with Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing. Sprinkle with 1 Tbl reduced fat feta cheese. Delete 1 fruit serving from your day’s menu.
Vegetables ItalianaSaute ½ cup sliced zucchini, ½ cup sliced carrots in 1 tsp olive oil over medium-high heat until tender. Sprinkle 1/8 tsp Italian seasoning over vegetables.
Fruits
Pineapple Lime CoolerPrepare 3 oz package sugar-free lime gelatin as directed on package. Place 1 cup of gelatin in each of four custard cups. Refrigerate. Before gelatin sets, fold in ½ cup canned pineapple chunks. Chill until set. Makes 4 servings.
Fruit CouscousStir 2 tsps raisins, 2 tsps chopped dried apricots, 1 tsp pine nuts and 1 dash nutmeg into 1/3 cup cooked couscous. Serve hot or chilled. Delete 1 starch and ½ fruit serving from your day’s menu.
Banana PuddingSpoon 1.4 oz prepared sugar-free vanilla pudding into custard cup. Fold in ½ small banana, sliced and ¼ cup crushed vanilla wafers. Top with 2 Tbls fat-free whipped topping. Delete 1 ½ starch and ½ fruit serving from your day’s menu.

Grocery foods

Grocery Foods
At Jenny Craig, you're learning about portion control, balance and variety in food choices. Your Jenny Craig Menu features a healthy balance between Jenny's Cuisine and your own grocery foods. Here is an overview to enable you to make the best choices for your grocery foods.
Vegetables and Fruit
Eat across the rainbow for health benefits - enjoy a variety of colors of fruits and vegetables to get a variety of nutrients.
Non-starchy vegetables, which are very low in calories, are "free" - eat all you like!
Meats
High fat meats should be consumed in moderation because they are high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Fish, such as tuna, salmon and mackerel, can be a good source of omega-three fatty acids, which may protect against heart disease, arthritis and Alzheimer's disease.
Milk
Milk and yogurt are good sources of calcium, which helps protect your bones and prevent osteoporosis.
You can use an Anytime Bar to replace one of your milk servings.
Starches
To boost your fiber and satisfy your appetite, look for grain products that list whole/sprouted/malted wheat or another whole grain as the first ingredient and contain at least two grams of fiber per serving.
High-fiber foods can help you feel more satisfied and protect against heart disease, certain cancers and digestive disorders.
Fats
For weight loss, it is a good idea to moderate intake of all types of fat, because a gram of fat contains more than twice the calories of a gram of protein or carbohydrate.
To reduce your risk for heart disease, choose mostly unsaturated fats over saturated fats and limit intake of trans fats and cholesterol.