The Foundation to Good Health

As I continue to learn about what creates wellness, it is clear that there is a wide gap from one philosophy to the next. Some SWEAR that a vegan diet saved them from near-death and some vegans swear that adding meat to their diet finally had them feeling fabulous. Some swear off grains and others claim a Mediterranean diet helped with all types of issues. I learned in my coaching program that bio-individuality is a truth we must acknowledge. There are too many dogmatic programs and advice that, for many reasons, do not work in people’s lives. The same thought goes for exercise. Here is my reality: I DON’T RUN. My body is not happy when I run. It has never been! Even as a child, I would get side stitches when running. Let me dance, do yoga, hike, or walk and I am happy. So here I share my thoughts on what is really needed for good health!

Nutrition: There are macro and micronutrients. Both are equally important to our health and body structure. When we look at Macronutrients, they are simple proteins, carbohydrates and fats. There is plant and animal protein within these groups, whole unprocessed and processed carbohydrates, and good and bad fats. Some simple fundamental truths help me make choices in these categories. ALWAYS quality is the first. I know this about the animal protein I consume. What the animal eats affects me. The hormones in its tissue affect me. So for me, when I can, the choice is free-range, grass feed, well-loved, healthy animal protein. This goes for eggs, fish, chicken and beef. Where plant protein is concerned, I follow the same philosophy, how nature intended. Hydrolyzed, manufactured, fake meat does not make a healthy vegetarian diet. As for fats, too many of us use fats that are denatured, heat processed, hydrogenated and just plain inflammatory. When cooking, I use Ghee, coconut oil and sometimes avocado oil. Always unrefined. Olive oil can also be a good fat for salads and even roasting on lower heat. But here again, let’s look at the quality! Oils go rancid fast, so buying large bottles in clear plastic is not the way to go.

Next on our building supply list are micronutrients. Vitamins and minerals are often eliminated from our food supply as we create bigger, sweeter, juicer fruits and veggies. Read “The Dorito Effect” for some eye-opening information that will help you understand why I think supplementation is a good habit. And here I mean QUALITY supplements that your body actually can benefit from. As a society, we are low on minerals. The reality is many, if not most, of our vitamins and minerals come from plants. Variety is key! STEP AWAY FROM THE ICEBERG LETTUCE! Open your taste buds to dandelion greens, chard, pea shoots, bok choy, gai lan (Chinese broccoli). The variety of fruits and veggies is vast! But even here, with variety, our soil depleted, species are changed, food is shipped from all over, sitting on shelves, and diminishing nutrients. Again, this is why I supplement.

And sugar! Sugar is something I will address next month all on its own.

There are so many books written on what is the right diet. I should know. I own many as I continue to explore what is right for me.

Exercise: What about exercise? Our bodies are made to move. But if running leaves you in pain and exhausted, then it is not for you. For one person I worked with, giving up all exercise other than gentle yoga for a while was the key to her healing process from auto-immune issues. Once she felt better, she was able to add more strenuous activity. When I did hot yoga, I was left exhausted and depleted. Others I know do their hot yoga and are ready to take on the world.

Toxic Load: The other key factor to building a healthy foundation is decreasing toxic load. Let’s face it breathing in Glade plug-ins, scented candles, slathering chemicals on our body, cleaning with anything that has a danger warning on it can NOT be good for our health. That topic is too vast for one blog, so come back soon for more on this topic. I have also written about stress and sleep in previous blog articles. For now, I will say, paying attention and addressing these issues is paramount to good health. Many tools can address these issues. Food and exercise are just part of that equation, but herbs, essential oils, and supplements help here too. It is incredible how a drop of bergamot or lavender can help calm my mind and help me get better sleep.

When building a house, there are many elements to consider: flooring, windows, insulation. As we build the house that is our body, what tools and supplies will you use? Remember, “if you don’t take care of your body ,where are you going to live?”

My goal and desire is to help people feel great. Through education and introducing tools that support us on this journey. Let’s chat and see if a simple conversation can help guide you to building a better foundation for health.