I’m sure you’ve noticed the #youmatter theme the past few blog posts. These posts have a purpose behind them…these posts have been reminders to myself. Reminders that I have been sharing with you. Advice to me that is important advice for all of us.
I want to continue to dream (July 7th post), to find balance in life (July 13th post), and to be healthy. I am 100% positive that you do too. So, starting today, let’s get healthier together. Read on…
You are what you eat is not a new concept. And if it is true…that means I am one ginormous lump of sugar. The Standard American Diet should literally make us SAD. Simple carbs such as sugar, fried foods, refined flours found in donuts, all just a few items making us a sick population. Well, I don’t want to be sick, and I certainly don’t want to be a lump. For me…it’s time for a change.
In his book, Let Food Be Your Medicine: Dietary Changes Proven to Prevent or Reverse Disease, Don Colbert, MD (2016) provides us with a blueprint for healthier living. I don’t know about you all, but I am in favor of that! Let me share a few of Dr. Colbert’s ideas with you to get you motivated to read his book.
Dr. Colbert suggests that we eat a modified Mediterranean Diet. Consume lots of fruit and vegetables, good fats such as olive oil and avocados, nuts, steel cut oats, and proteins such as fish, turkey, and chicken.
Dr. Don also believes we must rotate our food. For example, have chicken for dinner one night, turkey on the next night, then fish on the third night. Have a pear with lunch on Monday, an apple on Tuesday, and an orange on Wednesday. You get the idea.
If you suffer from a specific ailment, you will most likely find a chapter for that in his book. Are you battling cancer? There’s a chapter for that. Are you a Type II diabetic? There’s a chapter for that. Do you suffer from an autoimmune disease? There’s a chapter for that. Do you fear Alzheimer’s? There’s a chapter for that. And what is awesomesauce about these chapters is that within each of them, Dr. Colbert has designed an eating plan on how to fight back.
One interesting idea from the book that I am willing to give a try is flipping my eating plan. Dr. Colbert suggests to eat a big breakfast, a medium lunch, and a small dinner. Usually our eating plan is the other way around. This concept might look something like this: 🙂
Cancer, dementia, autoimmune problems…all diseases found in my family. I read those chapters diligently and hope to follow them to the best of my ability. I also want to implement the 12-hour fast that is mentioned in this book. Going from dinner on one day to breakfast the next day without indulging. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can… 🙂
Speaking of breakfast…one of my husband’s favorite breakfasts is overnight steel cut oats. He mixes 1/3 cup of dry steel cut oats, 2/3 cup of coconut or almond milk, and 1/2 cup of fresh fruit in a mason jar. He tightens the lid then places the jar in the fridge overnight. At work the next morning, he warms it up just a smidgen in the microwave and enjoys. Full meal deal in one jar. Hmm…I think he is on to something good.
At 56, I am starting to notice changes in my body and in my health that I DO NOT approve of. I want to be in my “fabulous fifties” not my “frumpy fifties.” Reading this book has given me some intrinsic motivation to begin making better choices. I choose life. I choose to fight against pestilence. I choose to try my best. I choose to not give up when I’ve had a bad day. I choose to eat right. Want to join me? I hope so because YOU matter. 🙂
Until next time…wishing you good health and happiness!
Stay Calm & Eat Healthy!
Profs Dr. Wendy & Dr. V.
edUconnections 