Everywhere we turn today we encounter guidelines and tips for improving fitness, increasing energy, fighting fat, how to live longer, etc. We can’t watch TV or pick up a magazine or surf the internet without being admonished to get more healthy, wealthy and wise, and that can be a little overwhelming, especially if you’re feeling snowbound and saddled with a little extra girth thanks to Christmas excesses. To this I say, apply the rule of threes.
Plan to isolate THREE things you will do to embrace greater health. This helps make your progress manageable and ultimately successful.
Pick three from the suggestions below. Write to us and tell us what you are planning to change or add.
1. Give up for three to five days out of every week, foods that are not so good for you – acid, gluten and yeasty foods, such as: fried foods; rich dairy products, carbonated sugar or diet beverages, beef and pork, gluten breads (this includes all whole wheat, multi grain breads; sugar in all forms), and alcoholic beverages. Eat less of these types of foods because they can create inflammation and a pre-disposition to a more acidic milieu in the body that predisposes the body to illness and a weakened immune and digestive systems.
2. Incorporate new healthy food into your daily food plan such as: healthier dairy products (yogurt, goat cheese, cottage cheese, rice cheese products and kefir), more fish, poultry, bison and ostrich; gluten free grains (millet, quinoa, brown rice, amaranth, Ezekiel and buckwheat), and gluten reduced products (rye, kamut and spelt). The suggested foods will reduce inflammation, improve elimination and reduce bloating. You’ll also experience increased energy and an improved emotional state.
3. Increase your exercise regime or if you do not work out introduce a gentle exercise – just 20 minutes twice a week.
4. Take 30 minutes every week to explore creativity such as music, art, writing or any other form of personal expression.
5. Practice mindfulness – just “being in the moment”, by taking time to be still and at peace. 15 minutes of meditation will facilitate this state.
6. Reach out and open your heart to somebody or volunteer at a charity. This process will help heal your own emotional pain.
Here is a cookie creation from the Guru Kitchens. It’s a great snack to reward yourself with after your work out, or just because! You’ll enjoy this high protein non gluten, non grain cookie. Try it with your favourite tea.
Almond Crunch Protein Cookie
1½ cups of almond butter
2 eggs
1½ scoops Ultra Meal plus 360 by Metagenics © Dutch Chocolate or another protein powder
9 sachets of Krisda© premium stevia extract
½ cup walnuts ground up
1 tsp aluminum free baking powder or baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients.
3. Form into balls about golf ball size and place on a greased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 12 minutes.
5. Wait for a few minutes for them to cool to eat!
Enjoy and bless your food and give thanks for the many blessings in your life!
Adapted from the Craving Killing cookies in the Shape magazine November 2010
