If you feel as though you are finally emerging from a really bad dream, you’re not alone. Although quite surreal and even bizarre at times, it wasn’t a dream, we were actually living it and we’ve made it to the point where we are cautiously getting back to familiar routines and enjoying life.
18 months ago we were caught off guard. The stress of uncertainty came from various symptoms of what seemed to be our new reality. Some may have turned to over eating or drinking to seek comfort. For many, exercise routines came to a halt and natural sleep rhythms were thrown out of whack. Whether you have fallen victim to all of the above or can add a few of your own; engaging in negative habits on a regular basis chips away at overall health. We’re human, we were blindsided, scared and didn’t have a clue as to what was happening. We are also strong and resilient and we’ve learned a lot.
That Was Then and This is Now
During this time, we were repeatedly reminded of two very important life lessons that should be permanently engraved in our awareness lest we forget them: Good Health is one of life’s greatest gifts and life as we know it can change in an instant. In some ways we were forced to slow down, keep things simple and focus on what’s really important.
Regardless of what happens next, we have learned a lot and we’re in a much better position to set a strong foundation that will help us weather the next, and any, storm. The good news is, regardless of what’s happening around us, daily decisions about our health is one thing we can take control of and we get to choose the path we take. Yes-it’s ok to enjoy a favorite treat and not feel bad about it. It’s typically the guilt, not the treat that sends us on that downward spiral. This is a guilt free zone. When we slip up (and we will) we are always free to begin again.
Whether you want to get back on track, or if you’ve never been on track and are ready for a better way, the best time to start is now! Why? Because it matters-because you matter.
It’s Not all About the Food
Food (or nutrition) is just one of 6 main pillars of health and it’s actually not even #1 (sleep is) but let’s start with food anyway. Food is our fuel. We only get one body and we need to service it with the best fuel possible. Pardon the analogy but a Corvette won’t run properly if given regular gas. It needs premium fuel for peak performance. So it makes sense to choose carefully when fueling our body, the most important vehicle we’ll ever have; the one that takes us through life.
Food brings us together. We gather, celebrate and enjoy each other’s company with food as the focal point. I, for one, love food (which is great because my husband is a fabulous cook.) I enjoy eating delicious food that makes me feel good…and I LIKE feeling good! Although this next statement is worthy of an “eye roll”, I must admit, we are a family of foodies who send each other pictures of our culinary creations on a regular basis.
Let’s do this Together
As a farming community we are fortunate to have easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables, especially this time of year. A number of food establishments have recently popped up throughout town making it easy to get healthier options when on the run.
For successful grocery store hauls, it’s best to fill your cart by walking the periphery of the store first. Go down the produce aisle, then do a pass by the fish, poultry and meat counters. Include eggs, nuts, natural nut butters and some dairy. If you venture down the center aisles, read labels, check for sodium, carb, fat, protein and fibre content-per serving. If buying packaged products, aim for those with 5 ingredients or less. (We can dedicate an entire column to reading labels so please let me know if you’d like more on that.) For vegetarian or vegan guidelines, be sure to choose seed and grain options that provide enough protein. A general rule of thumb for all is to strive for a balance of protein and healthy fats with the bulk of carbs coming from fruits and vegetables.
While making healthier lifestyle choices won’t permanently shield us from illness and disease, doing so sets a strong foundation that allows the body to function at its best while aiding us to recover should something come our way.
Support can be helpful and I’m here for you to share health & wellness tips,and information on health related topics. In future columns we will discuss a variety of topics such as, why diets don’t work and why stress overload can prevent weight loss.
