If I Only Knew They Had Chocolate Chip Cookies in Heaven is a book about how to lead a healthy lifestyle with all of the battles that we face in life. Here are some of the major concepts that are discussed in the book:

It takes effort to do what’s best for you. Anything that is not good for you comes easy.
                For example, if you want to eat a healthy meal, it takes time to prepare the food. It takes effort to read labels and make sure you are getting the correct balance of nutrients into your body. On the other hand, if you want to just go out and get a hamburger, fries, and a coke, it takes very little effort. We all know how healthy a hamburger, fries, and a coke is for our bodies, don’t we? So, the first rule of thumb is to understand that in order to be healthy, it will take effort. Don’t expect it to come easy.

One of the main purposes in life is that human beings are the only creatures on earth that have the body of an animal, but the soul of an angel. These two forces are in constant battle from the moment we are born until the moment we die. The animal craves the physical. The soul craves the spiritual.
                If you want to understand one of the main purposes in life, this is definitely a good place to start. Many stories have been written with this theme in mind: Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Incredible Hulk, as well as a little angel on one shoulder telling the person the right thing to do versus a little devil on the other shoulder telling the person the wrong thing to do. The primary concept to comprehend with this battle is that the “animal” part of our being is stronger than the “angel” part. This allows us to earn our rewards in the eternal world by having to overcome the greater challenges that we face throughout our lives.

Human beings wait until it’s too late to do the right thing.
                Did you ever notice that many people don’t make the proper lifestyle changes until after they have their heart attack or stroke? It’s an interesting phenomenon that no one thinks that these types of things can happen to them. Smokers are a perfect example. How many people who smoke know the dangers of smoking? The same goes for eating fattening or sugary foods. None of these things will kill you right away, but in the end, it will probably catch up to you. Be a little more proactive and learn how to make good, healthy decisions in life—before something happens!

THE FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR LEADING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE:

1. SELF CONTROL: We need to have self-control in life. This chapter discusses various examples and strategies on how to accomplish this goal.

2. MAINTENANCE/MOTIVATION: It’s always easy to start a new diet or exercise program. It’s quite another thing to be motivated to maintain it. Many health clubs work hard at getting you in the door, but how many of them really work hard at making sure you come on a regular basis once you sign on the dotted line? This chapter discusses ways you can stay motivated to maintain your healthy lifestyle.

3. INFORMATION: There is just so much information out there. Some of it is actually right on, whereas other claims are just plain dangerous. This chapter will give you a “fighting” chance at understanding the research and be able to distinguish between good and not so good information. This chapter also goes into some of the clinical research on supplements, the dangers of diet sodas, sodium, sugar and high fructose corn syrup, barbeque safety, and even dental hygiene’s relationship to heart disease.

4. LIFESTYLE CHANGE: Many experts in health and fitness discuss diet and exercise as the primary avenues to leading a healthy lifestyle; and they are not incorrect. However, in my opinion, they are missing a key element: working on your character traits. Sure, diet and exercise are key components, but without tackling stress and becoming a better person, you are missing part of the equation. This chapter delves into topics such as anger, forgiveness, thankfulness, sleep, laughter, judging people favorably, heaven and hell, and many other subjects. This chapter is full of stories and great lessons that can help you transform yourself into a better person (but YOU have to do the work).

5. EXERCISE: This is the most technical chapter of my book. I discuss the benefits and the major components of exercise before going into workout strategies and injury prevention; for example, finding the right balance between exercising and getting the proper benefits versus over exercising and getting overuse injuries and the like. This chapter also goes into the benefits of massage therapy and a brief introduction of the concept of ergonomics.

Growth is the Key.
                There is a concept that if you stop growing in life, it’s as if you are declining. Staying the same is not good for you. The problem I’ve encountered in America is that too many people are “comfortable” with where they are in life. They are set in their ways. They don’t want to grow or challenge themselves. They get up every day…go to work…come home, eat dinner…and watch TV until they go to bed at night. They don’t exercise or eat healthy. They like their life just the way it is. If I were to sum up my book , it would be that each of us should try to grow each day—if even only by a little bit. Even by growing a bit each week or month, you can make great strides in life.

Why did I choose the title “If I Only Knew They Had Chocolate Chip Cookies in Heaven?”
                First of all, I LOVE chocolate chip cookies.  One of my primary battles in life is not wanting to go through the rest of my life completely giving up this type of enjoyment. How does one go through life in a healthy manner, but still enjoy certain things that we do not want to give up entirely? The key is understanding how to make good decisions and finding the right balance in life. Reading my book should help answer this question.

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