Break the Cycle

I read an article recently that created several different sparks in me.  I think that there are many interesting points that one could take away from it and I invite you to read it and share your comments and questions. (Article to follow, posted as Food for Thought!)

I’m happy to share my experience with it…

First, I wondered why an article “about cancer” crossed my path. I wondered what this has to do with me and reacted to the advice to eat more dairy and meat.   I thought about how my vegetarian readers would react to this and about how even organic dairy and meat can be challenging to digest, especially for cancer patients.  So I did a little research, first within myself, then I consulted a good friend, Google.

Google helped me answer the question on exactly why more meat and dairy, scientifically.  Read this article about the importance of glutamine rich foods and their impact on the immune system, if you are interested http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2002_April/ai_84211192/?tag=content;col1. I also found an additional article that argues that glutamine rich foods may help with addiction (this includes food), Alzheimer’s as well as cancer patients. Check it out at http://www.soberliving.com/blog/replacing-the-brain-chemicals-that-addiction-has-robbedt/?searchterm=Replacing%20the%20Brain%20Chemicals%20that%20Addiction%20has%20Robbed

The “big idea” of this article for me was Break the Cycle, permanently.  Change is challenging! We all have our habits and “go to” snacks, treats and meals. Food is neither good nor bad, it’s just food. Repetition is the unhealthy part of our diet and lifestyle.  Our bodies are basically a walking alchemy set, with thousands (ok, I really don’t know exactly how many) of different chemical reactions going on just to do simple things we take for granted like hug a friend,  breathe or eat a piece of chocolate.  

Often people talk about the importance of healthy eating or use the word healthy without considering what that actually means for them (myself included).   Have you ever asked yourself; What is my experience with “health food”?  

I used to get all excited to bring a healthy dish to share and people would turn their nose up at my food or tease me. Now I quietly set my dish down and let people come to me. When they comment on how good that ___ is or can they have the recipe I thank them and then let them know it was sprouted or contained sea weed or whatever Raw-Infused flair I added.   They are typically shocked and now I swear I can see a window open for them. In my mind I interpret their reaction with the thought “hmmm, ok so maybe some health food isn’t so bad”.

For me now that I’ve made this healthy (and seriously delicious) eating a part of me I often forget what a challenge it is to make this a permanent change in life. The most challenging part is keeping it real.  I use the word real because my belief is that choosing to live a healthy lifestyle or just eating healthy is a living contract, literally.

How does one stick with it? I cannot tell someone else what they need to do to make this a permanent part of their life. This is where self-discovery comes in.  Take the advice of others as it is, advice. Experiment with it and see for yourself what works and what doesn’t.  I’ll give you an example. My mom had surgery last year and was required to take medications (in her super clean body) and stop eating greens and other supplements that could be harmful (yes, sadly, a lot of the foods we normally eat are considered "blood thinners" and your blood can actually be too thin and pose serious health risks) based on the medication she was taking.   

She noticed a huge difference especially with energy level and emotions and recently she asked for help getting back on the wagon with the Raw-Infusions.  She let go of her way as a required part of the recovery process and has been struggling to get back her healthy glow ever since.   She knows she’s not happy where she’s at and knows from experience what she’s missing by letting it go and not picking it back up.  

Here’s my advice:

1. HAVE A GOAL: Select ONE clearly defined goal (ex: look and feel better in my body). Map out where you currently are with respect to this goal and what you think it’ll take to get you there (if this sounds or feels like “too much” then hire or get help. Ask someone to help you write goals; go see your doctor, Chiropractor, Acupuncturist a friend who’s done this before, etc.) 
2.  Know your resources internal (my greatest defense is knowing what the greater goal that inspired me to do this in the first place?  Whenever I feel weak I imagine myself at the lowest point of food issues and allergies and know I’m never going back there.) What are local external resources for “back up”, new recipe ideas, friends, blogs, Community organizations, non-profit organizations, etc.  One great resource where I live is the Ceres Project. Check them out at ceresproject.org 
3.   Plan ahead! Part of meal planning should include occasional and modest sized “free to be me” treats. One example for me: This summer I made S’mores. I seriously couldn’t remember the last time I had one…camping when I was a kid, maybe. I kept saying I wanted to go camping, then I realized I just wanted a S’more! 
4. Schedule some “ME time” it can be quiet time, meditation, yoga, art. Whatever it is that you enjoy doing that relaxes you (and is not food or beverage related). 
5.   I cannot stress enough the importance of moderation and variation. There is a reason the body feels “sick of” things.  The nutritional value of  that food, or types of food may no longer be benefiting you. Don’t force yourself to eat it. If it’s something you’ve been eating a lot of do yourself a favor, MOVE ON!