Eat Consciously

What you are eating, might be eating you...

With today's hectic lifestyle so many of us don't eat consciously. How many of us are so harried by today run here and run there that we have lost the meaning behind the food: life, family, culture? If it isn't a quick bite to eat from a drive through restaurant then it is a handy "Hamburger Helper" from the kitchen cupboard or freezer. I know it is easier to feed the "Hungry Man," woman, or child processed food than to prepare a sustainable, organic, home-cooked meal. I know this for a fact; and am guilty of it myself, but at what expense does one continue to consume food "products" instead of real food?

Should you find yourself at a point in your life when you become aware of the need for a change in your "diet," I would like to suggest that before you put ANY plan into action DO SOME RESEARCH. I know it sounds tedious however in order for the change you make to stick it is important to understand the "why" that drives it. I suggest beginning with these two topics:

1. Do not believe the diet hype! "Diets" are temporary, unsustainable and although you may loose weight it will most likely return tenfold. There is no magic pill, shake, sprinkle, etc... and portion control (AKA starving yourself, counting calories) is also NOT the answer. Still don't believe me?... read more HERE, HERE and HERE - and I am sure there is more proof out there, Google away!
2. Understand what the products you consume are comprised of; yes is said "products" because much of the American diet these days is made up of food-like products not "real food." Understand what these products do to your body; over the short-term and long-term. You  really shouldn't be surprised that many of these chemicals have adverse effects on how you look and feel, then again you might be. According to WHFoods.org:

Some of the many additives included in processed foods are thought to have the ability to compromise the body's structure and function and are suggested to be related to the development of skin, pulmonary and psycho-behavioral conditions. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) are currently being investigated for their potential to damage genetic material and therefore promote cancer. Sulfites have been found to aggravate asthma (hypertext) in certain children and adults. Artificial colorings have been noted to cause hypersensitivity reactions in sensitive persons promoting conditions such as ADHD (attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder), asthma and skin conditions such as urticaria and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, avoiding foods that contain these and other chemical additives may greatly contribute to health. 

Be aware of what is going into your body and more importantly know what your animal "food" is eating, its source and the ingredients that comprise the food. This is key. Much of the food available on super market shelves, meat/produce/dairy departments, and fast food restaurants, is sadly void of essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins, and latent with chemicals, pesticides, antibiotics and hormones.  Still don't believe me? ... read more HERE, HERE and HERE.

Once you have done your homework and are ready to make a change I suggest starting with some small tests of change. Going hog-wild and changing everything at once may work for some, but for most it will just be a case of too much too soon; especially if you live with others who may not understand you "vision." Try eliminating some or all of the following items from your diet (and by "diet" I mean food habitually eaten NOT temporary food reduction):

• All Sodas, Juices, and other sugar laden drinks (I suggests drinking only water and/or tea - organic green tea in particular - the occasional black coffee is okay)
• All Cereal, Pasta and Breads (including whole wheat, gluten-free, etc - "All" means ALL!)

This is a good start. It should not be too much of a shocking change and yet if you abstain from these products for at least 30-60 days you will find it will make substantial changes in how you look and feel. Now please understand this is a life-style change, ideally you should eliminate these products FOREVER. The only reason I suggest the 30-60 days is because you will go though a withdrawal period. Yes, "withdrawal" as in from an addiction. Believe it or not those of us raised on these products have become physically addicted to them, therefore you WILL feel like crap for a period of time, push through it. You WILL feel better (even AWESOME) and you WILL  eventually loose the craving you have to eat these products. As Jonathan Bailor says... "It is simple, but not easy."