Healthy Living: What does it mean?

Healthy living is more than eating a nutritious meal; it’s the balance of a mind, body, spirit. It is believed that without those components you may experience an imbalance in your daily life. Most people are unaware that simple small changes in diet, exercise and stress management can help improve your health and well-being. My search for balance and journey into this holistic lifestyle began at an early age. The human body is amazing because it will always speak to you and tell you what it needs. When I was nine years old my parents took my brother and I on our yearly family vacation to Hilton Head Island, SC. I always loved the family road trips because my parents made each state an educational experience. I learned early on that the food we ate “up north” was different (and just as delicious) as food “down south.” It was also a chance for my brother to eat fast food when he saw those golden arches or signs that displayed big burgers. My experience was different in terms of our occasional fast food stop. Although I enjoyed french fries, (what 9 year old doesn’t like fries?) I could never enjoy the brief stops because I hated the MEAT. Yes, I was a kid who despised the taste of burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and any meat flavor. Right, I know, you are probably laughing to yourself saying “did she bump her head?” Honestly, my transition to vegetarianism was quite simple; a short stop at a fast food restaurant changed the course of my eating lifestyle. My body spoke and I listened! It’s also easy to modify your diet when you always have an unpleasant feeling after a meal. The light bulb went on! That’s it! I thought, I simply enjoy the delicious flavors of fruits and vegetables versus meat.

After many years of pondering how does all of this work? How can I share what I love with others and help them maintain healthy habits of exercise, eating nutritional foods, & connecting their spirit. I took the plunge and became a Yoga Instructor, and a Health Coach. Remember it is all about having balance in your life, here are some things that you can ponder if you are looking for a change.

1. Enjoy water first thing in the morning. If you haven’t got time for anything else in the morning, make time to drink a big glass of water. We lose a lot of oxygen through the night and to rejuvenate our cells, we need to supply them with water and oxygen. Drink a glass of water and within a week you’ll begin to feel less tired. I like the taste of water, but I know some people do not so if you’re one of them, squeeze some fresh lime into your water to give it taste and drink up.
2. Grab a few fresh fruits on your way out. Wherever you’re going – whether it’s a walk, school, or work, pick up one or two fruits and eat them. If you leave for work in the morning and don’t return ’til evening, take a few fruits and eat them throughout the day. Fruits are great for their nutrients, vitamins and sugars that are required in our body.
3. Avoid going to junk food shops with your colleagues. If your coworkers are going and you want to go along, go ahead but don’t order the burger or french fries. Go for a nice salad instead. Or any other healthy meal that takes your fancy. Junk food is full of “empty calories” that do nothing for your body but put on extra unneeded and unhealthy fat.
4. Do some Yoga. Get your blood flowing and your muscles moving with simple easy postures. Yoga is practiced by people of all religions, and has been known to decrease stress. It will greatly enhance your spiritual life by creating an awareness of your inner self, your feelings, & the world around you,
5. Deep breathing. When you’ve got time – at your desk, driving the car, cooking food – do some deep breathing. Inhale and count up to 5 seconds, hold it for a few seconds, and release slowly. Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is one of the best things we can do for our blood and cells. It is also important to know that there are several ways you can boost your brain IQ:

1 – Build Your Brain: Healthy Fats The majority of the cell structure in the brain consists of healthy fats, including the most important healthy fats, called Omega-3 fatty acids. As the brain continues to fix itself and grow additional neurons, it needs a good amount of Omega-3s to be consumed. Great food sources to get your Omega-3 from, in order of importance, are: ? Salmon ? Flaxseed oil ? Canola oil ? Walnuts

2 – Protect Your Brain: Antioxidants As people get older, substances called free radicals, which are floating through the bloodstream, will break down the brain cells. If you don’t put up a fight, you’ll experience loss of memory as you age. However, there are some wonderful antioxidant food sources to choose from. Antioxidants will merge with these free radicals, turning them harmless. Make sure you eat foods that have this healthy food source. Several good sources of antioxidants include: ? Blueberries (other berries too) ? Broccoli ? Carrots ? Garlic ? Red grapes ? Spinach ? Tea ? Tomatoes ? Whole grains

3 – Hydrate Your Brain: Water You already know that your body is made mostly of water. And you also know how easy it is to not consume much water and become dehydrated. Even a mild case of dehydration can reduce your mental energy and capacity, causing your memory to become impaired. You should drink at least four liters of water each day, or six to eight 8- ounce glasses.

4 – Brain Building Blocks: Vitamins & Minerals There are certain kinds of vitamins and minerals that are necessary building blocks for your brain. Of course, you don’t want to become vitamin deficient. So the vitamins and minerals very important to brain functions include: ? Vit. B6 ? Vit. B12 ? Vit. C ? Iron ? Calcium Deficiencies of the above have been shown to cause learning impairment.

5 – Regulate Your Fuel Supply: Fiber Most people don’t realize that fiber is important to the brain, but it’s extremely important. It can help with your brain functions because it can slow down sugar absorption. Your brain works on 100 percent sugar; however, it needs to be delivered steadily and in the proper amounts so as not to overload your brain. True, fiber in itself might not be considered ‘food,’ but you often get it through foods. Consuming a fiber-rich diet will slow down digestion and gradually release the sugar into your bloodstream. Foods that contain a good dose of fiber include:

• Dried fruits – apricots, dates, prunes, raisins
• Vegetables – broccoli, green peas, spinach
• Peas and beans – black-eyed peas, kidney beans, lima beans
• Nuts and seeds – almonds and flaxseed
• Whole fruit – avocadoes, kiwi, oranges, pears and skin-on apples
• Whole wheat grains – barley, brown rice, etc. Now you are ready to face the world; armed with a carrot in one hand and a glass of water in the other! I hope you find the information interesting and helpful on your journey.