As much as I love to stay active and eat well, sometimes my motivation wanes. I'm sure it happens to the best of us, but being a nutritionist somehow makes me feel even worse because I know what bad decisions can do on a cellular level--toxins building up and causing illness, mood swings, and digestive problems, just to name a few. PLUS I end up feeling guilty because, well, I'M A NUTRITIONIST! Aren't we immune to temptation and comfort foods? Don't we possess some super-human enzyme that makes it so!?!
Alas, no, we don't. It helps that I have a passion for good, healthy food. It also helps that I've always been active, but I do have habits from my youth that creep back into my psyche now and then. So, what do I do? What strategies do I have in place when these moments of weakness occur? Well, I find tapping into a community of other healthy-habit-driven people helps. Friends to work out with or discuss new recipes or environmental issues with, and with the innovation of new media (not-so-new anymore, but I catch on a bit slowly!), I also find tools such as twitter to be motivating. And it's not just about healthy foods and activities, it's about finding inspiration through other peoples' accomplishments. In their stories, I'm reminded of my own, and the energy allows us to fuel each other in a positive, momentum-building way.
When I climbed Fuji-san 10 years ago, the feeling after I reached the top was pure elation. Not just at the beauty of this great mountain, nor was it just the gorgeous sun rising overhead. It was the feeling that my body, exactly as it was (regardless of my perception of its imperfections), had enabled me to do this amazing thing. I didn't hear a chatter or faults or criticisms in my head; there was just silent gratitude. When I hear other peoples' tales of having achieved great things, whether they surpassed physical or emotional barriers, it takes me back to Fuji-san and reminds me of how awesome the human body is and how it wants, above all else, to survive. It fights for us, and so I'm reminded of how worthy of respect it really is.
People can improve their well-being and habits at any point in time that they choose to do so. Once upon a time, getting together with one of my dearest friends involved gorging on junk while hanging out. Of course, we've been friends for more than 25 years, so one might think it would be a habit impossible to break, but we now have a variety of activities that we do when we get together, one of our favourites being working out! To this day we laugh about how I thought, at the naive age of 10, that she was only friends with me because I always had ridiculous amounts of chocolate in my house (those who've read my previous blogs know that between my grandfather working at a chocolate factory and my father being a mechanic for Beckers', chocolate was in my home in abundance at all times), and here we are now, sharing endorphins on a whole other level and loving it! Her triumphs, as well as everyone else's I hear, lift me up and make me want to do and be better.
So, my motivation in times of weakness? Reminders from everyone else around me about how amazing people are in their own rights, and how with the right combination of laughter, a positive attitude, and an open mind, we really are boundless creatures with the ability to surpass what we once thought were our wildest dreams. I want to feel amazing travelling this road with my loved ones, and remembering how amazing this road can be makes me want to be as healthy as possible so I can enjoy the ride.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Smells like Summer!
I love Farmers' Markets! There's something about the atmosphere of them, not to mention the aroma of fresh fruits and vegetables, that feels like home. Truly wonderful. This is the week that the local ones start up again in my neighbourhood, and this is really exciting for me.
There's also a real sense of pride in helping local farmers out. These are hard-working individuals who put everything they have into the produce and other items they're selling. There's a genuine feeling of community and very often the individuals selling the goods are friendly and kind.
Last year, I was able to find homemade dog biscuits made without of the common allergens found in commercially made ones, and while this is becoming more common even in chain pet stores, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling at the thought of a fellow animal lover baking for other animals.
So, here's the link to find the markets in Toronto closest to you!
http://tfmn.ca/?page_id=2
There's also a real sense of pride in helping local farmers out. These are hard-working individuals who put everything they have into the produce and other items they're selling. There's a genuine feeling of community and very often the individuals selling the goods are friendly and kind.
Last year, I was able to find homemade dog biscuits made without of the common allergens found in commercially made ones, and while this is becoming more common even in chain pet stores, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling at the thought of a fellow animal lover baking for other animals.
So, here's the link to find the markets in Toronto closest to you!
http://tfmn.ca/?page_id=2
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Staples...
While cleaning my kitchen/fridge the other day, it occurred to me that I've grown to rely on a few steadfast ingredients in my life. In a moment of reflection, I also realized how much different the food items in my fridge and cupboards are now than my "self" of years ago. I'm by no means perfect. But it feels good to know I've come to a place in my life where I'm no longer intimidated by creating new dishes. Really, being of Greek descent, I always thought I should've popped out of the womb with mad kitchen skills and somehow failed as a result of not being more of a natural. The skills I have I've worked hard to attain, and continue to do so. As a nutritionist, I know the excellent properties of many foods, but learning how to put them all together has been a constant growing experience. In fact, my food and nutrition students often give me ideas of new cooking methods! I avoided okra for many years because of their texture until one of my students gave me some insight into how to make them less slimy (drying them after washing and adding a liberal amount of lemon!). My lack of "natural" cooking abilities has, in the past, has led me to be a bit of a "lazier" (but still healthy!) eater. So, while I vary my diet regularly to keep things fresh and nutrtious, there are a few things I would be lost without. Here is a small list:
Matcha--This powdered green tea is filled with antioxidants and is extremely tasty for those who enjoy an earthier flavour. I use a tablespoon of it in my smoothies or dairy-free lattes, and I sometimes add it to my gluten-free pancakes. I was first introduce to it during a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and found its bitteness a bit overwhelming on its own at first, but now I can't live without it!It's a fantastic way to energize in the morning. I keep it in the fridge to preserve its freshness.
Ruth's Chia Goodness--This is a gluten-free mixture of chia seeds and many other delights, depending on the one I buy. My favourite is the Cranberry Ginger mix, which (other than the three obvious ingredients in its namesake) has other goodness such as pumpkin seeds, buckwheat, hulled hemp seeds, organic cane sugar, currants, and Celtic sea salt. It's a non-gmo'd product, and the beauty of chia seeds is that they their protein and fantastic essential fats are liberated when they become wet, so it's not necessary to ground them, like flax seeds. This product's super versatility means I can eat it as I would a cold or hot cereal, or I add it to salads, smoothies, or even my pancakes! It adds an extra kick of fibre, too, so I don't think twice about using it as often as the urge strikes! Keep it refridgerated once it's opened to keep the nuts and seed fresher for longer.
Coconut Oil--This not only adds a sweet flavoury goodness to stirfries, pastas, or pretty much anything else, I will use this oil to cook with because it has an extremely high cooking point, so I don't worry about its properties turning carcinogenic. PLUS it's great for the brain! Remember, "fat" is NOT a bad word when it's the good kind. In fact, it's NECESSARY!
Umeboshi Plums--These Japanese fermented plums are super alkalanizing, so I keep them around either for mornings after I've over-indulged, or I add one to my rice dish to flavour it up (probably a throw-back to my days living in Japan).
Greek Yogurt--It tastes like dessert, even though it's much lower in sugar than regular yogurt! Many people have an intolerance to lactose because they don't have the enzyme that makes it possible to digest this milk sugar, so plain Greek yogurt can sometimes be enjoyed by people with an intolerance to dairy. I wouldn't go crazy with it and have tonnes, though, because it is high in fat. It's also high in live bacterial cultures (probiotics!), and I eat it any way I can! Sometimes on its own or as a side, sometimes mixed with nuts/seeds/fruits, or I'll add it to a rice pasta dish to give it a creamy flavour. My favourite way to eat it this time of year is with a ripe avocado...creamy, heavenly goodness. And I will give a small amount to Riley (our bassett hound). He loves it! When he had swollen lymph glands from an infection, I fed it to him for about a week consistently and he got better! My vet laughed at me, but it worked.
Rice or Almond Milk--I ALWAYS have one of these in my fridge. I love my lattes, and I use it for anything as a substitute for a recipe that may call for milk. It won't have the hormones or antibiotics that are often found in milk, and it's great for anyone who might be lactose intolerant. It comes with "peace" of mind and a lot of yumminess! Just be sure to get one that does NOT contain carrageenan. Carrageenan is added to a lot of non-fat/low-fat foods, as well as milk substitutes, as a thickener, and it can cause digestive upset as it can coat the intestinal walls and make nutrient absorption more difficult.
So, these are just a few of my favourite staples. The more I type, the more I know this list can go on, but if any of these aren't on your grocery lists yet, try one and see how it goes. Not everything is for everyone, that's for sure, but if you're looking to kick things up a notch and want to try something different, then I say go for it! Experimentation is how each of these foods came into my life, and I'm better (and healthier!) for it!
Matcha--This powdered green tea is filled with antioxidants and is extremely tasty for those who enjoy an earthier flavour. I use a tablespoon of it in my smoothies or dairy-free lattes, and I sometimes add it to my gluten-free pancakes. I was first introduce to it during a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and found its bitteness a bit overwhelming on its own at first, but now I can't live without it!It's a fantastic way to energize in the morning. I keep it in the fridge to preserve its freshness.
Ruth's Chia Goodness--This is a gluten-free mixture of chia seeds and many other delights, depending on the one I buy. My favourite is the Cranberry Ginger mix, which (other than the three obvious ingredients in its namesake) has other goodness such as pumpkin seeds, buckwheat, hulled hemp seeds, organic cane sugar, currants, and Celtic sea salt. It's a non-gmo'd product, and the beauty of chia seeds is that they their protein and fantastic essential fats are liberated when they become wet, so it's not necessary to ground them, like flax seeds. This product's super versatility means I can eat it as I would a cold or hot cereal, or I add it to salads, smoothies, or even my pancakes! It adds an extra kick of fibre, too, so I don't think twice about using it as often as the urge strikes! Keep it refridgerated once it's opened to keep the nuts and seed fresher for longer.
Coconut Oil--This not only adds a sweet flavoury goodness to stirfries, pastas, or pretty much anything else, I will use this oil to cook with because it has an extremely high cooking point, so I don't worry about its properties turning carcinogenic. PLUS it's great for the brain! Remember, "fat" is NOT a bad word when it's the good kind. In fact, it's NECESSARY!
Umeboshi Plums--These Japanese fermented plums are super alkalanizing, so I keep them around either for mornings after I've over-indulged, or I add one to my rice dish to flavour it up (probably a throw-back to my days living in Japan).
Greek Yogurt--It tastes like dessert, even though it's much lower in sugar than regular yogurt! Many people have an intolerance to lactose because they don't have the enzyme that makes it possible to digest this milk sugar, so plain Greek yogurt can sometimes be enjoyed by people with an intolerance to dairy. I wouldn't go crazy with it and have tonnes, though, because it is high in fat. It's also high in live bacterial cultures (probiotics!), and I eat it any way I can! Sometimes on its own or as a side, sometimes mixed with nuts/seeds/fruits, or I'll add it to a rice pasta dish to give it a creamy flavour. My favourite way to eat it this time of year is with a ripe avocado...creamy, heavenly goodness. And I will give a small amount to Riley (our bassett hound). He loves it! When he had swollen lymph glands from an infection, I fed it to him for about a week consistently and he got better! My vet laughed at me, but it worked.
Rice or Almond Milk--I ALWAYS have one of these in my fridge. I love my lattes, and I use it for anything as a substitute for a recipe that may call for milk. It won't have the hormones or antibiotics that are often found in milk, and it's great for anyone who might be lactose intolerant. It comes with "peace" of mind and a lot of yumminess! Just be sure to get one that does NOT contain carrageenan. Carrageenan is added to a lot of non-fat/low-fat foods, as well as milk substitutes, as a thickener, and it can cause digestive upset as it can coat the intestinal walls and make nutrient absorption more difficult.
So, these are just a few of my favourite staples. The more I type, the more I know this list can go on, but if any of these aren't on your grocery lists yet, try one and see how it goes. Not everything is for everyone, that's for sure, but if you're looking to kick things up a notch and want to try something different, then I say go for it! Experimentation is how each of these foods came into my life, and I'm better (and healthier!) for it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)