| I've spent over 25 years observing how people eat | | | | and dramatically reduce sweet cravings. This is a |
| and what they eat and it's fascinating. What I've | | | | great sweet vegetable recipe. |
| noticed is that people are confused and frustrated. | | | | 5. Increase leafy green vegetables: These are |
| One month there will be a study claiming the health | | | | seriously lacking in the American diet and they are |
| benefits of eggs and the next month there will be a | | | | most essential for creating long lasting health. More |
| study claiming it's a bad source of cholesterol. | | | | specifically they help eliminate depression, improve liver, |
| I'm going to give you the non-frustrating approach to | | | | gallbladder and kidney function. |
| healthy eating and living. An approach that will be easy | | | | 6. Experiment with protein: The majority of Americans |
| to follow for the rest of your life. It's based on two little | | | | eat way too much protein and mostly in the form of |
| theories that have helped my clients, over 9,000 | | | | animal meat. Try other forms like beans or soy. |
| Integrative Nutrition students and their clients. | | | | 7. Eat less meat, dairy, sugar and processed foods: |
| Bio-individuality - For several years I followed a | | | | consume less coffee, alcohol and tobacco: Did you |
| macrobiotic diet and I counseled and taught others to | | | | notice how I said eat less instead of don't eat? If I told |
| follow these principles to improve their health. I | | | | you not to drink coffee or chocolate you would want it |
| experienced improved health so I truly believed my | | | | all the more. By increasing your whole grains, |
| clients would too. I got very mixed results. Some | | | | vegetables and water you will naturally crowd out the |
| people experienced better health, but not everyone. So | | | | more processed items. |
| I began to experiment. Some of them got better if | | | | 8. Develop easy self-care habits: People get so |
| they ate more raw foods, while others got better if | | | | wrapped up in their busy lives that they forget to take |
| they ate less raw foods. I realized that one person's | | | | care of themselves. This can be something as simple |
| food is another person's poison. | | | | as a relaxing bath and as nice as a day at the spa. |
| Primary Food - When I was experimenting with my | | | | 9. Have healthy relationships: I call love the ultimate |
| clients on different ways of eating I came across | | | | superfood. A loving, supportive relationship can nourish |
| people who experienced improved health by leaving a | | | | your soul. What's more is when you feel love and |
| dysfunctional career or falling in love. It was fascinating! | | | | happiness you are more likely to eat better. Reach out |
| I realized that there's more to health than the foods | | | | to that one person who makes you feel loved and |
| we eat. Yes, it's good to eat your vegetables, but | | | | nourished. |
| relationships, career, spirituality and exercise is food for | | | | 10. Find physical activity: You don't need to spend hours |
| the soul. | | | | at the gym. What gets you moving? |
| By understanding these two simple concepts and | | | | 11. Find work you love or a way to love the work you |
| experimenting with the steps below you will slowly | | | | have: So many of us spend 8 hours a day in a job |
| start to notice changes. | | | | that is unfulfilling and end up stressed out which leads |
| 1. Drink more water: There is no right amount of water | | | | to a slew of health problems. Ask yourself if your job |
| to drink, but generally the bigger and more active you | | | | is aligned with your values. |
| are, the more you should drink. By increasing the | | | | 12. Develop a spiritual practice: Some people freak out |
| amount of water you drink you can significantly reduce | | | | when I tell them this, but it's really about connecting with |
| cravings, aches and pains and increase your energy. | | | | yourself. You don't need to start going to church or |
| 2. Practice cooking: You might hate me for saying this, | | | | praying every day. Maybe being spiritual means taking |
| but cooking is a fundamental step to healthier living. By | | | | a walk in nature. Finding a spiritual practice can help |
| making your own meals you know what's going into | | | | you slow down and appreciate the non-material things |
| them. Meals don't need to take hours to prepare and | | | | in life. |
| involve multiple ingredients. Here are some simple | | | | This is the most laid back health program ever, but it |
| recipes to get you started. | | | | really works. You don't need to follow the steps in |
| 3. Increase whole grains: Trust me it's not these types | | | | order and you can do one step a week. Pick the step |
| of carbohydrates that have led to the obesity | | | | that you are most interested in trying. Have you |
| epidemic, but rather the processed goods like | | | | wanted to try a pilates class or a yoga class? Go for |
| doughnuts. Whole grains are some of the best | | | | it! Maybe you've wanted to experiment in the kitchen. |
| sources of nutritional support and provide long-lasting | | | | I also recommend that you don't do it alone. Everyone |
| energy. | | | | has someone in their life that also wants to improve |
| 4. Increase sweet vegetables: People forget that | | | | their health. Who is that for you? You can be each |
| these exist and they are the perfect medicine for the | | | | other's supportive coach and hold each other |
| sweet tooth. Instead of depending on processed sugar, | | | | accountable for making the small changes to improved |
| you can add more naturally sweet flavors to your diet | | | | health. |