Focus and tune in every day to what foods make you feel vibrant, radiant and healthy. These will also be the foods that will create and maintain your perfect healthy body at its ideal weight and shape. Release diet mentality and the need for periodic detoxing so you can splurge in between. When you create a healthy kitchen that encourages and inspires healthy eating every day, there is nothing to “fall off of.”
Here are 12 things that everyone can truly thrive with:
1) Commit whole-heartedly to eating only whole real healthy food.
2) Drink pure filtered water throughout your day, flavored with real lemon if desired.
3) Nourish and detoxify daily through eating plenty of these veggies, ideally fresh, raw, and organically grown: artichokes, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, chorella (a nourishing sea vegetable that is great for detoxifying the brain) cilantro, garlic, green tea, kale, parsley, and watercress. You can eat great volumes of these healthy veggies and not gain a pound!
4) One teaspoon of any of these spices will boost your antioxidant power: cinnamon, ginger, oregano, red peppers, rosemary, thyme, turmeric, and yellow curry.
5) Eat enough plant-based fiber and protein throughout the day to keep your blood sugar stabilized, including some low-fat protein with breakfast every day.
6) Use extra virgin olive oil as your main oil and boost your metabolism at the same time.
7) Take whole food supplements and consider working with someone who is trained in Nutritional Response Testing to find out what supplements your body really needs. (Contact me for a recommendation.)
8) Eat early and often. Eat something healthy every three to four hours. Avoid eating two to three hours before bedtime.
9) Don’t eat much when you aren’t truly hungry. Eat just enough to avoid swings in blood sugar. Eat only until you are gently satisfied, not full. Wait 20 minutes before taking seconds. Check inside: are you still hungry?
10) Reduce anxiety and stress with walks, naps, baths, movement, dance, meditation, music, play with your kids or pet, or enjoyable conversations. Keep a ready mental list of whatever makes you feel good and nourished without unconsciously grabbing food for comfort.
11) Intend to move 15 to 45 minutes per day to keep your blood circulating and help to shrink your fat cells. Search for movement and exercise that feels fun to you.
12) Plan to get seven to eight hours of essential sleep every night. Don’t plan on “making up” sleep on the weekends or on your vacation. It’s not possible. Your body will keep struggling to “make do” and will put on a happy face but sooner or later your body will force you to rest and restore through an accident, illness, or disease. That is not the preferred path!
A good way to enjoy the food you eat and to avoid overeating is to pay attention to the present moment. Take a moment for gratitude and life-enhancing conscious breathing before eating or drinking anything. Eat and digest consciously. Choose to eat food that you enjoy and that will provide true and lasting nourishment for your body. Honor your body today for all it does for you moment by moment, often without encouragement or support!
