Wow - I've been thinking a lot lately on what I put in my mouth. It started this weekend with som yummy eats that weren't necessarily "healthy" = low fat, low calorie, etc, but it was totally fresh food with many good things for me and my body (and my mental health and physical activity). Also, I was reading a magazine this morning on the plane from my local health food store in the Ville - Rainbow Blossom. Very interesting articles and I learn every time I read from different sources. I am also wanting to take nutrition/health classes just to learn more and be more educated about what I put in my body. God made my body for a reason (for His glory) and I want to take care of it the best I can.
So, here are some things that I am learning:
1. I do not run well (running, as in physical activity) after eating protein. I've tried it a couple of times (like an egg white omelette on greens) and I just am not propelled as I am when I eat carbs before running.
2. I want to eat as much "natural" stuff as possible. I think I am growing fond of being a locavore when it comes to fresh ingredients. Not necessarily all local ingredients, but definitely all fresh ingredients. I would love to live in a place where I could just go to a daily farmers market and pick out my stuff for the day.
3. I like to eat/graze every 2-3 hours. I don't get starved, I don't get stressed. Now, I just need to eat less when I do and continue to make healthy choices (like homemade hummus and carrots, or carrots and mustard, or a small whole grain homemade oats muffin- yum, fruit, etc).
4. Vitamin K helps with slowing the aging process - and other good things for us. Now, I do take a multi-vitamin (a chewable so I don't have to swallow a horse pill), but I want to get my vitamins naturally - from a whole source. So, a good source of Vitamin K (because as I age I definitely want to look younger) is leafy green veggies and oils like canola and olive. Also, you can find some in meats and fermented foods like cheese and natto (fermented soy beans, a Japanese meal usually served for breakfast). May have to try that - round out my world travels for breakfast (I've been eating a very meditteranean breakfast of couscous and yogurt).
5. Spices help with e-coli - cleaning and the whatnot. Cloves are particularly helpful (and most everyone has that in their kitchen right now), and essential oils do as well.
6. Ah, sugar or natural sweeteners. I am a fan of sugar. I do use honey and maple syrup and different fruits, but I don't use fake sugar. Will i try these new natural sugars? Who knows? I am under the opinion that I would rather go with normal stuff and eat less of it (what I bake) then eat more chemicals when I eat a larger portion of the stuff made with fake stuff. Now with natural sugars - like Agave, I just haven't tried it. anyone have suggestions?
7. Green tea is so good for you. I think the benefits of it are much better than coffee. I have a ton of teas at my house - I just need to use them more. Usually my mornings are not stress free, so I don't have time to sit down to a slow cuppa - maybe in the future.
8. Did you know that prunes are a super super food? I have some in my pantry right now. I need to start eating them. More potassium than a banana. low GI numbers, high in fiber and ranked in the top for its antioxidant powers (and you know how everyone is all about that right now).
9. My chiropractor - whom I get to see today - tells me "if you stop moving, you die." I like that. I just want to be more active, always doing things, not just sitting and letting my body rot or waste away. I want to be healthy from the inside out. I want to eat off the land that God has given me and us. That means I don't eat a lot at fast food places anymore - and if I do, I get salads. Ah, the joys and complexities of wanting to eat healthier and be healthier.
10. How does this work when I bake all the time? I usually am not baking for me. I taste a bit of it - then I give it away. I love to bake and use usually full fat full calorie ingredients when I do. If I eat it, I eat a small portion of it. But, I have learned that indulgences can be allowed - just not every day!
Ok - those are some of my thoughts for now. Have a great day. Be God's today - body, mind, soul.
1 year ago
Kim, I loved reading this post. I am just going to make a numbered list too to keep from rambling on:
ReplyDelete1- You should read some of Michael Pollan's books. I think you'd really like them. His book "In Defense of Food" really changed my thinking on a lot of things.
2-I am trying to get a jump start on the holiday craziness by getting back into running and eating more fruits and veggies, smaller portions, and more like 5 small meals a day. Any good ideas on veggies for snacks besides the usual carrot sticks?
3- If you want to try more dark greens, try kale. It's delicious. We love roasting it with EVOO, S&P, and making "kettle chips". We devour them.
4- I am also going to try and start drinking green tea once a day. We have tea at work. It's not loose leaf, but it still has some of the benefits I believe. I like hot tea a lot.
5- That's it. That's all I have for now. :)