I changed my eating habits five years ago for health reasons, not because I wanted to be thin. Losing more than forty-five pounds was a nice side-effect, but that was not my motivation.
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| Breakfast |
I eat the power porridge above almost every morning, topped with whatever fresh organic fruit I have. Find the recipe here.
I have breakfast a couple of hours after I rise and lunch late in the afternoon on most days. Two small meals a day is enough. I go for a long brisk walk every day that the weather allows. I am very active all day. I rarely sit still for more than an hour without moving around. I sip water throughout the day, and I never ever drink sodas.
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| Late Lunch/Early Dinner |
The picture above exemplifies what I have for a late lunch each day. Start with a bed of organic baby greens. Then, add steamed broccoli, peas, a little baked sweet potato, or any vegetable combination you like. I almost always add about a cup of some type of beans. (If you don't cook your own dried beans, buy the kind with no salt added and organic if you can find them. Rinse well and store extra in the fridge.) Some things need to be baked or cooked to digest them well. For example, I steam broccoli for about three minutes.
The plates I use are about the size of my outstretched hand.
I do not regularly eat bread, croutons, cheese, dressings, or oils. I might have a minimal amount once a week because I enjoy high-quality items. (Processed cheese is not something I ever eat.) I always skip the condiments, which may be high in sugar.
When fresh organic fruits and vegetables are not available in the winter months, I often use frozen organic fruits and vegetables. I especially like sauteed onion, mushrooms, and garlic cooled and added to a large green salad. (Again, you can save extra in the fridge.)
Now, on to the following picture.
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| Caution! |
I bought this snack mix at the health food store to serve with wine to guests. Looks healthy with all those nuts, seeds, and sesame sticks, right?
Wrong!
I don't know what was added because it was bought in bulk by a particular order with no label (not from bins). For a few days, I was guilty of having a handful after each meal with a cup of hot tea as a dessert. After about a week of this bad habit, I had a headache, my joints and muscles ached, my sleep was often interrupted, my mind was very foggy, and my digestive system was wrecked. I felt as if I had been poisoned. I felt almost as bad as I did five years ago when I started this healthy eating journey. I finally realized that the mix pictured above must contain all those ingredients I cannot digest. Within two days of ridding my body of even this small amount of processed food, I am back to my healthy, happy, sleeping, thriving self.
Almost all processed foods contain high fructose corn syrup and preservatives at a minimum and many more chemicals on average. Some say to read the labels, but I avoid buying or eating anything with a brand. Instead, fresh, organic whole food is what I consume most often.
I have seen stock boys reach into bulk bins with dirty hands to steal a few nuts while working. Kids can't resist those that are at their eye level. I only buy bulk items if it is something I will wash or cook before eating.
As with my fashion choices, I keep my food choices clean and straightforward. What I share helps you discover what works best for you.
