When you think about the way that you eat, can you give a reason for your choices? People usually ask me two questions , the first being “what are you allowed to eat?” and the second is “why are you doing that?” After I give them the answer to the first question, they tell me that what I do is too much work and that they would miss all of their favorite foods. I hear what they are saying, it’s not like every now and then I don’t make allowances. This brings me to the next question, why.
I have noticed that the more of these conversations that I have, the more streamlined my answer has become. I used to go into a very long winded response, jumping from point to point. The look on peoples faces varied, from being confused to a look of total understanding. Thinking back to certain conversations that stand out in my mind, my answer has become more clear. I want to prevent disease by way of my food choices. If you can solve a problem at it’s root then there is usually no need for medicine. Food is my medicine. It has the ability to prevent, heal and even cure many different kinds of diseases.
So the next time your meal becomes a conversation starter, think about your answer. Why do you eat what you do? The more solid that your answer is the easier it is to stay focused.
What is your why?
Weekly recipe
Basil Vinaigrette
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
3 Tbls chopped fresh basil (it’s very important here to use fresh)
2 cloves garlic, minced
In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, basil, and garlic. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Honey Mustard Dressing
1 cup mayonnaise
3 Tbls dijon mustard
1 Tbls vinegar
1-2 Tbls honey
paprika to taste
In a bowl wisk together mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, honey and paprika. Refrigerate until ready to use.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post, Addie!! My why is to be a good role model for my family- primarily my young sisters. My parents, grandparents, aunt, and uncles all have destroyed their bodies through years of eating really crappy food and not exercising. Now they are all dealing with various different disease states- diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, MS, Parkinsons, Fibromylagia, liver failure….the list goes on and on…I really don’t want to add to the list.
Sometimes I lose sight of the why but your post helped remind me of why I do what I do. Thanks, Addie!!
Thanks Heather! My family has dealt with some health problems too. My dad had diabetes to the point of having multiple surgeries to try and “cure” bone infection problems , high blood pressure, and ended up passing away far too young from these complications. It seems that I am the only one in my family making an attempt at not repeating the same pattern.
At least your sisters will have another model to follow, keep up the good work!
Great post Addie!
The reason I started eating the way that I do was so that I could become more fit — because fitness is a hedge against sickness and for the sake of performance alone. The reason I’ve always kept with it is because it makes me feel better on an everyday basis.
Like you guys I am motivated by my family history and the job I have as a parent to be a good role model for my kids. It is true that the best thing we can do for our kids (or younger siblings for that matter) is to set a good example. Kids will copy what they see. We all know they repeat wha they hear- even when we don’t want them too!
) I know that I can’t control everything my kids eat and as they get older the best thing I can do is set a good foundation for them and hope they make good decisions.
In our families we are surrounded by sickness and disease, something I hope not to repeat. I believe that we all need to take responsibility for our own health and fitness by constantly learning and trying to do better and be better….a better life is bound to follow.
Fantastic post Addie!!!
I like your focused answer, Addie. That’s excellent.
I do it for reasons of vanity. I am hoping to get a six-pack that I can show off with my new half shirt.
At first, my reason was mostly due to vanity… wanting better results from all the hard work I was doing with my workouts to get that killer bikini body. I still want to look great but now there’s another, bigger reason I like this change. I have been struggling with health issues for about 5 years now (stomach, etc) that the doctors can’t really seem to figure out. Needless to say, it’s been a source of stress for me. Now that I have been making this change over the last month, I FEEL a lot better! It’s almost like a complete change in how I feel, especially after meal time and just in general throughout the day. Let me tell you… if eliminating grains and dairy removes all the problems I have been having, I will NEVER go back again EVER.
You’re already there Rick!! Shake what your momma gave ya!!!!
I’m a shakin’
Tiffany- you gave me goosebumps! I know- I’m lame- I struggled with similar things for 20+ years without any good advice from a number of specialists. So I can totally relate. So exciting to hear that this is working for you!!
Phil- don’t encourage him…remind me to tell you about him shakin’ it for a bar full of people on our honeymoon…being married to Rick is never boring, let me tell ya!
Being a friend to Rick is never boring!!