Body Talk

For the love of God, people, I had a bit of writers block this week......a temporary short-circuit in my writers mojo......

I knew there was a reason and I went with it. It wasn't until my dog started passing major gas that I became inspired to write about carbs. Yea, her body was talking to her alright. Too many carbs and fiber from some veggies she got her paws on. Poor baby...Poor me!

About that same time my husband walks through the room with a bowl of popcorn, which has the same affect on him as the veggies do on our dogs, but the way he handles it is by eating some almond butter....read on to see why.

One thing I can promise YOU for sure is........I WILL KEEP 'EM COMING, the Blogs, that is.

Another thing I can promise is......Each one WILL BE WORTH IT. So don't miss one! Always scroll back to make sure you haven't missed one. ok?

It's all about quality over quantity here.

If I don't have the time and inspiration to write something I feel is valuable to you - lessons, inspirations, humiliations, I won't waste your time or mine. Deal?

Yesterday I had a LIVE radio gig. 91.3 fm Sonoma. 15 minutes of fame and afterwards I realized we didn't even say my name! Doh!

I gave lots of good advice, though.......like the 80/20 rule, why resverotrol, an antioxidant compound found in the skin of red grapes, makes red wine healthier than white wine, and the importance of balancing wine (which is a carb) with protein and healthy fats (such as raw, organic cheese) for optimal metabolism. That's why the French diet is so healthful. The french are dialed in when it comes to understanding how to eat. They balance their macronutrients masterfully.

WTF are macronutrients?

Proteins. Carbs. Fats.

We need them all, combined in the right, way from sources that are good quality, to keep us metabolizing efficiently.

Quiz for you: yes or no.

Sugar is a carb?

Veggies are a carbs?

Chocolate is a carb?

Maple syrup in your hubbies belly button is a carb?

Wine is a carb?

Coffee is a carb?

fruit is a carb?

If you answered YES to ALL you are right!! They are ALL carbs!

Dig this......not all carbs are created equal. Some are SIMPLE, such as bread, pasta, popcorn, rice etc. which end up on your hips and around your mid-section. The other are COMPLEX carbs, which are better for your metabolism, such as most green veggies and berries. These become a more sustained, efficient energy source and burn as fuel rather than ending up on your hips. I have a list that gives you optimal choices - if you want it let me know and I will make sure you get it.

Here's the trick:

EVERY time you eat, including snacks, look at what you are eating and ask yourself if the protein and carbs are equally balanced. Usually we are eating substantially more carb than protein and fat combined. And make sure there is a little healthy fat in there too. All three are important each time you eat because that is what your body is expecting. You will feel more satisfied if you eat that way.

example of snacks when combined the right way:

apple with 12 almonds.
celery with almond butter
banana with almond butter mixed with choc protein powder. yum.

So why the almond butter with the popcorn? Well, it helped balance out the simple carb and made it easier to digest.

Fruit is a carb. We don't eat carbs alone. Can you repeat that?

Doesn't mean that eating an apple is bad for you, just means that you can control your sugar response better by combining a little protein and fat with it and keeps us more satisfied.

Oh, and BTW, the best kind of protein comes from something that had eyes. If that is not how you roll, then study up on other complete protein options.

Why do you think Americans are so fat?

Sugar. processed foods that deliver very little nutrition to your body. Empty calories. Way over-consumption of carbs.....ya think????!

Here's a mind-blower that is also a repeat. I seriously had no friggin idea that what I put into my body had an affect on how I looked and felt until I started studying nutrition. I spent many years feeling like crap (ok I looked pretty good due to my young age and good genes, but that would not have lasted too much longer) but I honestly had no clue that what I was eating (or not eating) had any correlation to my bad health. Even when my body was speaking to me loud and clear saying, "wtf, woman, are you joking?!!

Which is a big part of the reason why I do what I do.

Wish I would have had an intervention way back when.......

Fill-osophical tip for the day...... you have to get healthy in order to lose weight, not lose weight to get healthy.

You get healthy by eating LOTS of good stuff. PHYTONUTRIENTS. Nutritients from Plants. (and by sleeping, and drinking a ton of water and exercising) So if you are starving yourself trying to lose weight are you getting healthy by losing weight?

You get it......7 servings of fruits and veggies per day! When you do this you are loving yourself.

It's about loving yourself enough to honor your temple. It's about respect for the person who was gracious enough to loan it to you. You only have one while you are here on earth, and, remember, what you do today will take a toll on you big time in 15-20 years. So exercise discipline now and you will age gracefully and be able to enjoy your family without having to drag them down with your health issues. There is nothing more important than the way you love and care for yourself NOW. When you do this, your children will learn to love themselves.

(BTW, which is why I am going for a mani/pedi tomorrow during the super bowl ;-)

Cracks me up how so many people take such good care of their cars, clothes, homes, etc., yet they eat crap and do not exercise, and complain about the cost of organic food. Where is the temple in their priorities?

For shame people! For shame.

It's all of us at some time or another, I can assure you. me included.

FOOD for thought.......... arugala, goats cheese, beets, and salmon in a salad with a light balsamic vinaigrette. Yum.

QFTD: "Your Body Speaks to you in ways that words cannot...learn to understand the language." - unknown.

Yours in living well and having fun,

Heather