I have another article published in the latest issue of Conscious Dancer magazine. While I am glad to have the opportunity to have my writing in print, I like the tone of the first draft I wrote a lot better than the much-edited version that they actually published. The online version of that article isn't available yet, but that doesn't matter, since the one I am excited to share below is the original copy.
My friend Molly, an incredibly passionate fledgling doctor who dreams of merging holistic practices with traditional medicine in a pediatrics practice once her residency is over, adored the passion in it and feels an essay like this would be great mandatory reading for everyone who walks in her office door. I agree it would be, as I dream myself of the day when we as individuals understand the power we have to create our own health.
Transitioning to a Healthier Lifestyle
Though it seems like common sense that everything that we put in our bodies can affect us powerfully and on many levels, for years we have collectively been in denial that we wield extreme power over our personal health and well-being. We’ve been sold pills to ward off sadness and loneliness, beauty creams made of petroleum byproducts, and poor quality vitamins from the drugstore to stand in for nutrients from unrefined, pure foods. But the secrets to a better health and happiness are NOT found in the drugstore, and we are wising up. Change is in the air as we accept once again that optimal radiant health is a birthright for each of us, no matter who we are and where we come from.
Invariably, there are different factors that will play into how and when we choose to begin walking the path towards a healthier lifestyle. We each come with our own particular health and physical histories, not to mention the influence of our familial lineages. The world we live in is one of endless choices, and the conflicting opinions and research with which we are constantly presented can leave us oft-confused about what is "right" and where to begin. But all it takes is one moment of clarity, when something shifts on a cellular level and you become conscious of the power you have to make new choices. Suddenly, you are on your way down a different path.
For my dear friend, that moment came when in the midst of healing from a devastating trauma, when she realized that making her health a priority was the only way through the immense pain that had overtaken her. For me, that moment came one day about 7 years ago. I woke up one morning and realized the following: that I was in my late twenties and basically sick all of the time as my body harbored a low grade infection which had plagued my body for more than 4 years, that I was addicted to sugar and stressed out, that I was not willing to accept this as my reality, and that I was committed to doing anything – anything – to shift my health. I was no longer going to look at an antibiotic prescription as the magic bullet that finally might hit target and make me well. No, I was ready to take charge and make change. In this moment I learned that this is what it takes above all else: commitment to your self. And this commitment to your own fitness, radiance, energy, better sleep, beauty - whatever it is that signifies better health to you – this is what will lead you to those who can support you on your journey. Whether you call in healers, nutrition consultants, dance teachers, yoga teachers, or simply like-minded friends who are on similar journeys, transformation requires support from like-minded souls who can support your goals and motivations.
People joke that change is always difficult – to make, accept, deal with - but it’s easier than we think if we are fueled by a strong desire to move beyond ingrained habits and what is easy and available. This is especially true around nutrition. Food can be the medicine that fuels the change that you desire in your life. Often people associate changing your diet to “dieting,” which conjures up notions of scarcity and fear. But if we motivate ourselves with the knowing that it is more than just our physical appearance that will benefit, we are much likelier to be successful. Don’t take it too seriously, and have fun. Look at what you are doing as an expression of self-respect and as a lifestyle change that supports the goal to have a healthy and active body that will serve you in living an extraordinairy, love-filled, and adventurous life.
Personal transformation of any sort involves releasing limitations and expanding to embrace life. Likewise, instilling changes in your diet does not need to mean restricting it. David Wolfe, health guru extraordinaire councils, "Add in the good stuff. Simplify, simplify, simplify, always going back to the principles of ‘adding in’ and simplifying rather than ‘taking out,’ limitation, and complication.” The usual routine of quick stops at the grocery store can become a commitment to make time each week to meander through the local farmer’s market exploring, taking in the colorful bounty of the produce on display, talking to the people who grew this nutrient-rich food, getting in touch with the ever-changing seasonality and the vibrant energy of food freshly harvested from land not too far away. Decide to invest your money in your health – your health is your wealth when all is said and done, no? – and take advantage of the access that we have to some of the highest-quality foods on the planet. Maybe then you will decide to sign up for a cooking class to learn ways to prepare these new foods; maybe you will begin to gravitate towards friends who, like you, are committed to healing and to their health and well-being above all else and are similarly interested in making time to prepare and share meals together. Perhaps you’ll discover that these friendships are deeply nourishing in ways that others might not be.
Personally, as my commitment to my own health grew and I’d arrive home from my market forays with overflowing baskets of produce full of vibrant life force, I noticed that I was becoming evermore aware of my connection with mother earth and more curious about nature and its cycles, the healing properties of plants, and the business of farming. I see this now in others, as they commit to their health and become more conscious about their food and the impact of their daily choices. If your food is genetically modified, processed to the degree that it is almost unrecognizable, and marketed by corporations with greed, certainly it carries much different energy than food whose sale supports local economies and grown with love and with respect for the earth and its rhythms.
Nourishing our bodies with wholesome foods results in more energy, clearer thinking, inner strength, sustained happiness, and feelings of well-being - even bliss! Who doesn’t want those things? Let’s rise again and give our bodies, minds, hearts and spirits the best foods we can procure. Let’s sing and dance our hearts out and be on our way to optimal health and energy and increased longevity! Jai ma!
Some Strategies to Nourish and Flourish
-Fight cravings, stabilize your mood, and have steady energy throughout the day by balancing your blood sugar.
Eat every 3-4 hours and develop strategies for when you are away from home by toting along snacks.
-Add in greens wherever you can!
Chlorophyll is alkalizing, healing, and nourishing like no other nutrient. How about a handful of leafy herbs and greens or a scoop of green powder in your morning smoothie or a bunch of chlorella tablets a few times a day?
-Keep in mind the importance of your body’s internal ecology to your immunity.
Add in cultured and probiotic foods and drastically cut your consumption of fruit juice, refined white flour, and sugary treats.
-Upgrade the quality of fats and oils you consume.
Concentrate on beneficial fats like organic unrefined extra virgin coconut and olive oils, avocados, ghee, fresh nuts, and organic, grass-fed meats and dairy. Cut out refined, processed oils such as canola, sunflower, safflower, and soy.
-Plan meals with excitement, shop local for the best flavor, freshness, and nutrition, and take time to chew and consciously enjoy your food.
-Remember that fitness is an integral part of your body’s health.
Take walks as often as possible, even if they’re short. Dance weekly for a full-body workout that tones, builds strength and self-esteem, and puts a smile on your face!
-Sleep: It's more important than you think.
Life moves at a crazy pace these days, and it’s easy to cut back on rest time as a way to make more time for other pursuits. But good sleep leads to a better mood, better focus, and higher productivity, so it’s worth carving out the time to get at least 7 to 8 hours a night.
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