a quest for health

I want to tell you about my new quest for better health. It's a pretty common goal and there are a million voices grabbing for your attention on the subject. The word 'diet' sends me running and immediately tune out whatever follows, generally. They all seem to promote weight loss, muscle gain, and now more commonly performance enhancement, healing and disease prevention. No carb, low carb, high protein, low fat, good fats and bad fats, no sugar, no sodium, no dairy, grain free or just gluten-free, organic, soy or no soy and the list goes on.

People are so unique and have different needs and goals. I'm asked often for help with food plans, and find most are just uneducated on nutrition. An exception would be the cases where health issues have forced a major diet change, then there is more knowledge and awareness. Also, culture and environment play a big role in what people daily feed on. The past week I have spent a good about of the time in the grocery store, and health food stores, reading and researching. I'm overloaded and have learned more in the past two weeks possibly than in four years of college. College did teach my how to dig for information and test my sources. I'm for sure not a nutritionist, but I have studied nutrition on the surface. It's important and will impact results drastically. Personal training and diet go hand in hand. My own personal story of recovery from an eating disorder and learning to have a healthy relationship with food is freeing, and I love to share! I have a lot to say on the subject :) From being in close relationship with some amazing women, I know I'm not alone. I will say, restriction mentality does lead down roads that don't end well. It's not about taking control of your life by controlling what you eat, but about taking charge of your health by making healthy choices.

Trying not to make this post a novel. I was handed a book at church last week. Our pastor is leading a 12-week transformation series. Legit! I am interested in this 40 day devotional. I do believe doing things Gods way leads to success. One of the first things I read is:

The most important decision you will make during your life is, how will you respond to Jesus Christ. Make a decision about how you will live and for whom you will live. Will it be Christ or for self?

I like that.

The scripture as far as food intake its based on Genesis 1:29 It's about eating the food God created in His original provision in the first garden.

Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground – everything that has the breath of life in it – I give every green plant for food. And it was so. Gen1:29(NIV)

Ok, hang on! This is suggesting to go on a plant based, diet, Lord!? C ya! Just saying. Or what's the new word...that cray! I am usually behind on the hip new lingo, my sister would prolly laugh at me for saying that :) Basically the plates suggested consist of: 50% leafy greens and raw veges, 20% lightly steamed or cooked veges, 20% bean, lentils, whole grains, stews, soups, small serving of animal products, 10% fruit and occasional bread portion of the meal. That's intense and against the grain of some popular diet trends. I'm not going to get into the subject of grains and meats/animal products right now. I will say... eggs, fish, chicken, and beef are a major source of my protein intake currently. Also, as far as grains.. I do love oatmeal. The original oats, not the instant stuff. I do want to clean my diet of processed foods and expand my recipe base. I've already learned some neat new healthy tricks and am looking forward to sharing. So 40 days...I'm going to do it, we'll see what happens :)

What I don't like about talking 'diets' is the tension and differing of opinions, judgment, and taking of sides that so easily happens. It's almost like talking religion or politics!

I'm going to quote Scott's book, this is from the preface:

This book is not about legalism, dietary laws, asceticism, or religious food restrictions. We have freedom and liberty in Christ, and we are not confined to strict dietary laws. Yet, diet is one of those closely held belief systems that can lead to arguments- sometimes heated- and then categorization followed by separation. Within Christian circles, it can be equally divisive as groups and individuals take a stand and attempt to defend their positions, often with unspoken assumptions and misunderstanding. Therefore, I have not named a diet, nor do I promote a named diet. I encourage you to return to foods that God created, supported by the Bible and science.

Before this becomes hard core, jk it's so not hard core. Before the commitment I'm taking a couple weeks prep phase because reviewing the material there are items I've never heard of, not many but enough. Like any change, it's a process. I plan on blogging the 40 days, not everyday but as the Lord leads. Honestly I wanted to give up when my attempt to make breakfast bars failed. Coconut flour does not work as a substitute for almond flour. I think every store in Tyler is out of almond flour, if it even exists. I will conquer the breakfast bars....but not today. Let me share with you a healthy creation that did work. Love smoothies and never would have thought to mix veges and fruit together in them. I mean I have never even heard of Kale! Parents, kids might like this one!

Nutrient dense foods included in the smoothie:

1/2 cup Unsweetened pomegranate juice: good source of folate, potassium, vitamin K, and antioxidants (one study found it to have higher antioxidant activity than red wine, grape juice, green tea, or acai juice)

antioxidant 101: They protect and repair cells from damage caused by free radicals. Helps strengthen the immune system. Found in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

4-5 Strawberries: low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Good source of folate, potassium, fiber, vitamin C, and manganese

1/2 cup Raspberries: vitamin K, magnesium, fiber, and manganese

1 leaf of stemmed Kale: fiber, protein, thiamine, riboflavin, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese, and omega 3 fatty acids. Contains antioxidant nutrients (including and unusual concentration of carotenoids and flavonoids, lutein, and beta-carotene) yeah! Contains anti-inflammatory nutrients, and anti-cancer nutrients (specifically helps against breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and bladder cancer). Another benefit, it helps lower cholesterol.

OMG, I <3 KALE!!!
Add some Ice Cubes to desired thickness