With so many healthy eating lifestyles to choose from, which one really does a body good?
Since I was about 40 I started to realize I couldn't eat like I used too, meaning eating anything and everything I wanted. Yep, that way of thinking caught up to me fast. Now I am trying to find a healthy way of eating that will benefit me and who I am.
From Vegan to Paleo to Keto diets - they all promise a healthy way of living....but can they do more harm than good? Everyone needs to be the judge for themselves when they try a new type of eating. What works for one doesn't work for everyone.
I tried several lifestyles changes over the years and have dealt with issues and some changes. It's very hard to maintain a lifestyle when you are counting calories, macros or eliminating certain food groups from your diet...makes you want pasta even more when you can't have it...LOL. Surely I am not the only one that struggles with healthy eating, right???
I decided I would look to my grandparents for guidance in this area. They lived very long and, for the most part, healthy lives. Here is what I have learned so far: growing up, they ate with the seasons. There were no grocery store trips with lots of sugar filled snacks, no buying meat for everyday consumption and no veggies they didn't grow. Yep, they grew their own vegetables, ORGANIC. No pesticides, no spraying with chemicals. Just good old fashion marigolds planted in the garden to deter pests. They used chicken or cow poo to fertilize. HAHA amazing! It didn't cost them a fortune to eat organic! They ate what they could grow for the seasons. Sounds easy, right? No, I am sure it was a lot of work and yes...they had time. Life was simple. Our lives are hectic and everyone is on the go all the time. Well, if you really want it, it CAN be done. Growing your own food, that is.
Not only did they eat their own veggies but they only were able to afford to consume meat ONCE a week. Not everyday with every meal. Everything in moderation, right? And when they did enjoy a piece of chicken or beef or pork it, once again, was from their farms. No grocery store! No previously frozen meat from a packing company! No antibiotic filled meat with dye to color the meat! Just all organic meat. They processed their own - and yes it creeps me out, but it was the best.
Cakes, pies, cookies, oh my! Yes, they ate desserts. If they enjoyed any desserts, my grandparents and great grandparents made their own from scratch! They knew what ingredients went into their food. No crazy forms of sugars or preservatives. Just good ole fashion simple ingredients that you can pronounce.
All this information got me to thinking... Maybe eating the way my grandparents did is what IS healthy? Maybe its actually in our DNA--you know our very own region--what our ancestors ate. Could I really be onto something? Eat with the seasons and within your own region? I think about what is usually grown in our region. We do not grow Avocados; however, they are so good for you. My husband just does not like them...is his body telling him something? See Avocados have good fats...but so does peanut butter and eggs. Guess what, the peanuts can be grown in this area and we have chickens foraging our land, producing eggs. He loves both eggs and nut butters. Coincidence? Maybe not! At least that is my thinking. Not saying any of this is "WHAT IS" but it is definitely something to think about.
I decided this year I would plant a small garden to see if this way of eating has benefits. So far my garden is doing great. I have already prepared roasted squash and it was amazing! My husband and I planted corn, beets, onions, squash, beans, peppers and tomatoes. It is such an amazing feeling to watch these plants grow knowing they are so good for you and that you made this happen!
I am also getting ready to plant my pumpkins! They should be ready just about time for Halloween! So excited. I plan on using them to make pies and chili's AND for the grand babies to paint pumpkin faces :)
We also have planted apple trees, peach trees, pear trees and various other fruit bearing trees. Already getting peaches...and these are, you guessed it, all organic! For the cost of the plants and the poo we bought LOL.
I am going to give it my best shot to grow with the seasons! I feel this is what is for me. There is no counting anything and no staying away from certain foods. I will still eat an Avocado when I want but the majority of my diet needs to focus on my ancestors. At least, that is what I want to try. It worked for my grandparents and their parents and you know...so on and so on. :)
I will keep you all updated! In the meantime, let me know what you guys are eating when it comes to a healthy way of living. I love reading comments and taking suggestions! That's how we learn so please comment below!
Until next time...take your journey to health and happiness...life is good!
There are many wonderful benefits to "re-charging". It is as simple as resetting your mind and your energy. Everyday life is not simple. It's now busier than ever. I believe everyone today is always running through life. With checking social media, returning emails, text and constantly checking status updates, our lives and minds are working in overdrive most of the time. We should recharge our mind and body at least twice a year.
