Healthy Living Tips

I found out today that a good family friend has been diagnosed with a fast-growing cancer and it is inoperable. Ugh- I know that most of you have experienced the awful feeling of being absolutely powerless. This lovely man is in his early seventies and the worst thing is that he’s in excruciating pain.

As I got off the phone with mom, and started to drag bags of organic salad leaves out of my crisper drawer to make my lunch, I wondered if it might have made a difference if he’d eaten a clean, plant-based diet for most of his life. When we, or someone close to us, is diagnosed with a horrible disease, especially cancer, the knee-jerk reaction is to wonder if we/they could have done anything to prevent it. For the most part, we just don’t know. We can always look for reasons: Not enough sleep, organic food, exercise. Or maybe too much stress. Was there excessive exposure to environmental toxins? It’s sadly a puzzle that can rarely be solved.

I’ve always believed that a cleaner/greener way of life in a great investment in one’s health. Whenever I calculate how much money I spend on clean, fresh food, I always factor in the preventative health care aspect. Too many studies have concluded that a mostly organic, mostly plant-based diet makes a significant difference to one’s health in the long term. We now live longer than we used to. Eight years ago, the average life expectancy was around sixty years of age. In the year 2012, it’s above eighty years old, and many life well into their nineties. Given your body is hopefully in it for the long haul, it makes sense to keep it in tip top shape.

It’s pretty much common sense. The recent studies that came out in the tabloid press about red meat increasing your death risk, are again commonsense. Most red meat in this country is very unhealthy. It is produced in factory farms, and the meat is not only full of hormones, but is also very high in saturated fat. Humans were not supposed to eat this kind of meat. Duh – it makes us sick.

It’s also commonsense that if we eat too much of one thing, particularly refined grains and sugar, we are going to get sick. Too much of anything is not a good thing, even if it’s gluten-free or vegan. Moderation is the key.

As I chomped away at my raw salad, I came to the conclusion that nothing can guarantee that we will stay well forever, because we are powerless. We have less control than I’d like to think we really do. This is why one of my favorite prayers is The Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

So, the little things I can change, are the actions I choose to take today. Every single action paves the way for a better tomorrow, if I want it too. Regardless of what happens to my health and the health of my family and friends, the important thing is that I do the best that I can.  If I live, God-willing, to a ripe old age, I’d like to be able to look back and know that in the health department, I gave it my best shot.

Here are my 6 “Commonsense” Healthy Steps: We can get so confused by the myriad of books, health gurus and diets out there. Everyday a new scary tabloid headline comes out warning about the danger of yet another food. It’s important to keep it simple – no point getting extra lines on your face through stressing about it! So, be guided by your good, old commonsense.

1. East a mostly plant-based diet. If you love meat, treat it as you would lobster – save it for a special treat.
2. Cut refined grains and sugar out of your diet as much as you possibly can.
3. Switch to organic food, especially for the foods listed on the dirty-dozen list. I include dairy products too.
4. If you want to lose weight, cut every portion you eat by 50%. Sounds to simple to work? Try it! I believe that we should be able to eat everything in moderation, but moderation is the key,
5. Exercise every single day no matter what. You need to mix up your exercise including cardio, strength and flexibility. Women over 40 should do weight-bearing exercises at least 3 times a week.
6. Have a purpose in your life. Sounds obvious, but many people don’t. Having a strong sense of purpose makes you feel alive.
7. Laugh – laughter releases stress and tension. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, and never take yourself too seriously.
8. Connect with a power greater than yourself, and allow that power to guide you through your day.