Daniel Plan Recap

Center For New Medicine's $1000 Donation for the Daniel Plan Fun Walk & Run Event

The event, that started early Saturday morning on June 11th, was part of the Daniel Plan, a program that the church encourages its members to participate in to improve their health. Dr. Connealy and Center For New Medicine donated $1000 for the Saddleback Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan.

Members of Saddleback Church are on a yearlong journey to better physical health, and over the weekend, some moved 5 K—others, even 10K—closer to that goal. The mega-church kicked off its inaugural Fun Walk & Run early Saturday morning as part of the church's healthy-living program, the Daniel Plan.

The program encourages better eating habits—particularly the avoidance of processed foods—and regular exercise. By leading physically healthier lives, church members will in turn be able to live healthier spiritual lives, the plan proposes.

At the Fun Walk & Run, a range of aspects of health were on display, including cooking workshops that taught attendees how to make nutrient-rich smoothies using raw foods.   Most, however, came to participate in the run. More than 1,000 official participants either ran or walked Saturday morning. Center's runners were Brandi Morinoue, PA-C for 10K and Kitty McCall Smith and Patrick McCall both ran 5K . Brandi won 1st place in women's category and her age group. She completed the run in only 53 minutes.

The Daniel Plan, based on the prophet Daniel who chose healthy eating instead of the king's rich food, is developed by Dr. Mehmet Oz, a cardiac surgeon and host of The Dr. Oz show; Dr. Mark Hyman, a metabolism expert; and Dr. Daniel Amen, bestselling author and psychiatrist.

Participants in the plan are taught to eat vegetables and fruits, foods containing Omega 3 fats and fibers, and to drink green tea, skim milk and water. They are advised to avoid consuming processed food, high-fat meals, or drinking sodas and high-calorie juices.

Center For New Medicine had a booth at the event and were giving away free massages provided by Victoria Dolitze, massage therapist, free LSA biofeedback provided by Liliana Partida, certified nutritionist and free Body Image therapy sessions provided by Dr. Luzette McDonald.

Center also provided generous presents for the race winners which included free 2 and a half hours of teeth whitening provided by John Moreno DMD. Free 60 minutes mental therapy session provided by Dr. Luzette McDonald and 30 minutes free Biofeedback scan provided by Claudia Airola, Biofeedback Therapist.

Everyone at the event enjoyed health benefits and felt that we are all interdependent and share an inescapable responsibility for the well-being of the entire world.