5 Simple Steps to Health & Wellness
Albert Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Every decision you make in your life is based on a memory, a belief you heard somewhere else, from your family or friends, your teachers or medical professionals, on the radio or TV. You should look like this. Eat this. Don’t eat that. Take this pill. Don’t trust your intuition – we know better. This is FDA or USDA approved so it must be safe for me - right? Not always. Sometimes beliefs are beneficial to health and wellness - sometimes they can actually be making you sick from the inside out.
Did you ever watch one of those TV movies reportedly based on actual events? There is always a disclaimer that says the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Does the ingredient list on the food you buy remind you of that? Do you honestly believe all these chemical additives are “innocent” and can actually nourish your body? When was the last time you fixed dinner and made sure you added Red Dye 40, high fructose corn syrup, or tripotassium phosphate? Have you ever fixed a dish from scratch that had that many ingredients in it? Do you really want to eat something that has so many preservatives in it that it could sit in the pantry until your great-grandchildren are old enough to cook for themselves? Do you really have any idea what all those unpronounceable words on the ingredient list mean?
Change isn’t easy. I’m sure we can all agree on that. But if you truly want to take charge of your personal health and wellness, here’s your chance. Following are some simple tips to reduce the ups and downs of your personal wellness roller coaster.
Step 1: Don’t buy anything that has more than seven (7) ingredients in it – and make sure you know what every ingredient is. Yes, shopping is going to take a bit longer than usual – at least until you get to know the food you are eating on a more personal basis. You might start by using a meal planner several free options are available on-line.
Step 2: Buy organic when you can. If money is an issue – and for most of us it is – at least commit to buying the fruits and vegetables on the Dirty Dozen list (EWG, 2015) from the organic section of your grocery store. This list is available for free online. These are the fruits and vegetables that have the highest concentration of residual pesticides and herbicides on them – and potentially in them.
Step 3: Be kind to your liver. Do you take your car in regularly to get the oil filter changed? So why not “change” the filter in your body? The liver acts as your body’s filter, removing toxins and foreign materials from the blood. When working properly, it controls the amount of fats and cholesterol circulating in the body. It converts plasma proteins into amino acids and acts as a storehouse for vitamins and iron (Wedro, 2015). The problem is, if you aren’t eating foods that are high in vitamins and minerals, your liver may be out of balance. When it is overloaded with chemical additives and toxins, it is unable to fully clear these things from the blood. As a result, we get sick.
Step 4: Drink water. Wow – that sounds easy. The problem arises when we ingest the highly chemical “water” that comes out of our kitchen faucets. If you are concerned with the environment and don’t want to add to the plastic in the landfills, invest a little in a filter that will fit on your faucet. They can be purchased for around $25. Start your day off by drinking at least 16 ounces of water before breakfast or, if you can, up that amount to 32 ounces. Consider adding a slice of fresh lemon to your morning water. Lemon actually alkalizes in your body, helping to balance the blood’s pH levels.
Step 5: Consider replacing the chemically prepared supplements with whole food/herb supplements. Instead of that multi-vitamin you are taking, substitute it with Spirulina or Chlorella. Both are blue-green algae products that are naturally high in protein, vitamin A, manganese, and zinc – and that just the beginning – in addition, they’re even safe for the kids (Mountain Rose Herbs, 2015). Chlorella acts like a roto-rooter in your digestive tract. It gently cleans out all the nooks and crannies in the small and large intestine, enabling your body to again absorb the nutrients from the foods you are eating. You’ll be surprised what you find yourself eliminating - naturally.
There are many commercial detoxifying products on the market. Instead of investing that hard earned money on this type of product, do your body – and your wallet – a favor and start feeding it with whole, locally grown, organic (when possible) foods and then sit back and watch the major change that will occur. You will find that you have more energy, your skin is clearer, you have fewer hot or cold flashes, and you are sleeping better.
If you have diagnosed health issues, talk to your medical professional before making any major changes in your diet or lifestyle, especially when it comes to adding supplements. If your medical professional is unsure on how to support you in your desire to focus on a healthy lifestyle vs treating illness, find one who will. Unbelievably, less than 25% of medical schools include nutrition as part of the curriculum for new doctors. Trust yourself and your intuition – it will never mislead you. These are just a few of the paths to wellness you can choose from. Remember, you did not build the road you are on in one day and finding the best “crew” to repave that road may not happen overnight.
References
Chlorella (2015). Retrieved from the Mountain Rose Herbs website at www.mountainroseherbs.com
Dirty Dozen (2015). Retrieved from the Environmental Working Group website at www.ewg.org.
Wedro, B. (2015). Anatomy and Function of the Liver. Retrieved from the Medicine Net website at http://www.medicinenet.com/liver_anatomy_and_function/article.htm
