Blips
Go for the Gusto
“I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is two weeks.”
≈ Totie Fields
Is your head spinning from all the confusing and conflicting information out there about all HEALTHY FOOD to-do’s and don’ts? It is positively (or, more precisely, negatively) daunting to decipher it all and have any sense that you are on the right track. Not very comforting, is it, to make a choice without any sense of ease around it? More carbs… or less? Less oil… or more EFAs? Organic… but is it really? Three meals a day / no snacks? OR graze all day long? And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
So here’s the best place to begin. Go for the gusto, the joy, the savoring, the delight. Food is one of the great pleasures in life and, when we get so obsessive about doing it right, we lose touch with that. And it really is all about being in touch… with ourselves, with Mother Earth and with all that springs forth from her.
Whenever you are going to eat, do so with great attention and intention. Prepare a beautiful plate that is pleasing to the eye and the palate and a set lovely place to enjoy your repast, even if you are dining alone. Then take the time to say “Grace” before starting to eat. Take the time to chew well and savor each morsel. With these simple actions you will eat less and feel more satisfied. All the while, keep paying attention to what your body and mind have to say because…
Here is the BIG caveat – learn to listen, REALLY LISTEN, to your body, your inklings, your tastes, your energy and let these inner messages be your first and foremost guides. Many years ago I chose to be a pure vegan. I was a whiz at perfect food combining. I even taught vegan cooking. But, as a marathon runner, I began to notice that I simply could not keep my energy levels up or my weight on. When I finally understood that, as a blood type O, I was connected to my hunter-gatherer ancestors who survived on what they could kill and whatever grew wild in their environment, I changed my diet and changed my life.
Even then, it’s never about figuring it out once and for always. Our bodies at 50 or 60 don’t do well on the same foods we needed when we were children or in our 30s. We need to make adjustments again and again depending on lifestyle, work-load, stress levels, play levels, the time of year, and where we are living. What works for me now that I am living in Florida is not what worked when I lived up north and had more extreme weather changes.
How about you? When was the last time you really considered what makes your body AND your mind feel healthy, clear, energized, satisfied, and at ease? Keep a food diary for a week, making note not only of what you eat and when and how much but also how you feel throughout the day as a result. Your own awareness will be your own best teacher.
By the way, as for the conflicting thoughts I mentioned above here are some things to think about:
- More or less carbs? It depends on you, your body type, your level of activity, and the QUALITY of the carbs you choose. Eating refined sugar, grains (esp. wheat and corn) is simply not the same as eating whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, millet, etc.) with all the vitamins, minerals, and fiber still in tact. But don’t take my word for it. Give up sugar and white bread/pasta for a month and rely on whole grains and feel the difference.
- Less fat or more EFAs? It depends on the quality of the oils you choose. Less harsh methods of extraction lead to higher quality oils. And Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are called that because they are essential to our well-being. We need oils that supply Omega 3, 6, and 9 every day. Try a blend like Udo’s oil in your salad dressings and protein shakes for a month and feel the difference. Also, notice the difference in your nails, skin, and hair. It’s the perfect outer beauty treatment that works from the inside out.
- Organic… and is it really? It depends. Read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Read Never Be Sick Again by Raymond Francis. Rent the movie Food Inc. Get educated. Find out what is available through your local farmer’s market. Once again, make the switch to fresh and as much organic as possible (hint: it’s easier in the summer time to find things locally so this is the perfect time to start) and see what you notice. Also, pay attention to how it feels to vote for a healthier planet with your pocketbook.
- Three meals a day or grazing? It depends. This is really so individualized that you absolutely have to pay attention to what works best for you. Once you give up on the foods that leave you crazy and craving (sugar, refined grains, especially wheat and corn – which is now insidiously found in so many foods that you must read labels carefully) and add some high quality oils, which will slow down digestion and help you feel satiated, THEN notice how different meal patterns work for you.
Above all go for the gusto of celebrating every meal and morsel that you are blessed enough to eat. And enjoy those with whom you break bread each day. That’s really what it’s all about.