Tuesday, June 28, 2011

THE FOODS WE EAT... THERE ARE HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVES...

Happy Tuesday...

It's time for another post about our health. I was lucky enough to learn so much over the past several months while I slowly made my way back to a healthier me.

We've all heard about carbs, fats, proteins, hydrogenated this and that, but there's so much more to keeping fit and healthy. It's our food choices and exercise that are the key.

Even when we buy so-called healthy food, even fruits and veggies are laced with chemicals. Washing helps, but it is enough? Seriously, wash hard fruit with soap and water. such as apples, oranges, pears, cherries, etc.

Fruits like peaches, berries, etc rinse with white vinegar and water. I know it sounds a bit extreme, but we are ingesting it so take as many precautions as you can. 

Now let's talk about water... Our bodies are 75% made of water, so we should be aware of chemicals, metals, and impurities of the water we drink. Tap water isn't healthy, then again neither is most bottled water. Educate yourself. Filtering does help, but it's not enough. The way to go is drinking distilled. It's the purist water we can drink.

I actually discovered something very interesting. Whenever I drink green tea with distilled the color of the tea is yellowy-green. BUT, on the occasions when I didn't have it and used filtered water from my fridge, and now remember this was boiled, the same green tea had a brownish red tint. Amazing. Boiling water really doesn't purify you water completely.

My next discovery is buy ORGANIC... yes, it's more expensive, but it is worth it. Why would you want to eat meat and chicken with hormones, chemicals, and God only knows what else is pumped into the meat? At least with organic you are eating a healthier meat with more nutrients and vitamins.

Many stores are now featuring organic and it isn't as difficult to find as it used to be. Changing my eating has helped tremendously with my weight loss. These factors along with exercise will give you more energy and a better nights sleep.

So now you have your organic meats, fruits, and veggies. I know you're asking about breads, pastas, and  deserts. Well if you lay off of them for a few weeks you really won't miss them. Seriously. Once you break the sugar addiction you don't thing about it. Retraining your eating will go a long way for keeping the weight off and feeling great. After you loose your desired weight, you can slowly and I mean SLOWLY introduce health sugars and starches, such as sweet potatoes, yams, beans, brown rice, oatmeal, and the occasional piece of multi grain bread or whole wheat bread. 

Surprisingly MANY people have wheat allergies so if you feel great without eating wheat, stay away from it. Test yourself. Don't eat wheat products for a week. See how you feel. Your body will certainly let you know.

Here's a great way to make chicken... beat up a few organic eggs with chopped basil and a dash of salt and pepper, dip the chicken in the eggs and then into finely chopped almonds or walnuts. (It's SO much better than bread crumbs!)Saute in a distilled water... yes, you are reading right. Oils are fattening and not necessary. Cook until done. Add more water when needed.

Toss organic arugula, spinach, celery, berries of any kind, chopped almonds or walnuts or both and fresh fennel for a wonderful licorice taste. Add a dash of red wine vinegar or balsamic. You can use a bit of olive oil too if you are so inclined. 

Slice chicken into strips and garnish salad. This is a filling and DELICIOUS dinner or lunch.  Next week I will have more tips and other wonderful things to eat that are healthy and satisfying... 

REMEMBER also to get off the couch or desk chair and MOVE.... Eating healthy is great, but you MUST balance it with some sort of exercise EVERY day.

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!

19 comments:

PK HREZO said...

YUM!!! You've got my mouth watering for that healthy food! The bottom line is your body just feels healthier when you eat healthier. The healthier I eat, the less I want the fired greasy stuff. I'll always have a sweet tooth, but balanced with a healthy diet a little chocolate is harmless. Plus, i made the switch to dark choc so it's even good for you.
We not only use organic foods as much as possible, we use all natural cleaning products as well.

Great post, Michael! I'm glad you're doing these and reminding us to stay healthy!

Anonymous said...

That is a great idea for a substitute for bread crumbs. I've found that eliminiating bread isn't that hard--there are so many other better ways to get carbs. I do cook with a lot of olive oil, though. I'm not willing to give that up.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

This is a fantastic post, Michael. I really found the green tea thing interesting. I drink green tea all the time.

Margo Benson said...

All good advice - I'm another who cooks with olive oil, although it's not used often. The chicken recipe sounds gorgeous, I'll definately try that one.

We picked loads of our own blackcurrants and raspberries today - nothing like home grown with no artificial anything! (Although some of the blackcurrants make their way into vodka!)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

We eat some organic foods, and I avoid a lot of beef and milk because of how many chemicals they dump into the animals.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Such wonderful eating advice Michael. I really appreciate you documenting all of this for a person like me that doesn't know where to get awesome nutrition information. I've been listening to your advice for just a little while now and I already feel better in the morning when I wake up. I'm on the way to a healthier me!

Arlee Bird said...

I know, I know--and I'm much better than I used to be. At least I haven't been gaining any weight, but I'm not losing any either. I rarely drink soft drinks anymore, and I drink a lot more water, though it is usually tap water or bottled water.

I have started walking again, so that's a big plus. If I had a nutritionist preparing my meals I'd do much better, but left up to me it's what's fast, cheap, and easy. I don't like spending too much time with food preparations or acquisitions.

But good for you!


Lee
Tossing It Out

Heather said...

Golden advice! I would love the opportunity to grow as much of my own food as I can. That would solve a lot of these issues! Someday...

Unknown said...

I try to eat as best as I can but in all honesty, I don't worry too much about what I eat when I know the pollution in the city I live in will probably kill me first. However, I like eating healthy because it makes me fell good about myself.

Summer Ross said...

The chicken sounds delicious.

Unknown said...

These are really great posts and I am so glad you are sharing them with us!

Talli Roland said...

These are great tip, Michael! Particularly the reminder to MOVE. I try to move around a lot more now. Writing is such a stationary job.

Anonymous said...

Yes healthy eating is v.important.My bro-in-law thinks olive oil is carcinogenic! Well you gotta laugh.
Surely modern tap water is healthy, though? :O)

erica and christy said...

I don't worry about what I eat or drink to much of an extent. I might die a little earlier, but I'm enjoying the ride!

Truthfully, we grow and/or raise the majority of our meals ourselves and we have our own well water, which has been tested and is about as pure as you can get. I don't eat too many snacks, but yeah, our kitchen contains chicken nuggets and potato chips for the kids (along with strawberries and carrots, of course!)
erica

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, interesting info here!

Carol Riggs said...

Yep, all good stuff here. Mostly, I peel my veggies and fruit. I never eat apple peels/skins because they wax those puppies. Gross! I don't like chewing it, either. Anyway, I used to go organic and non-nitrated meats (ham, bologna, bacon) but that came back and bit me cuz then on the few times I DID eat nitrated meats, I got sick. I had purified my body too much. Sigh. I also got tired of finding aphids in my broccoli from the organic kind!

Danette said...

Lots of interesting stuff here Michael! you've found a great niche for yourself! People need to know it you have a positive presentation- very nice!

Susan Oloier said...

You're right, Michael, there are chemicals everywhere. I almost think they are unavoidable anymore--even in the air we breathe.
I am definitely going to try out your chicken recipe. I sounds delicious and healthy!!

Anonymous said...

Right on, Michael. For decades I've have been washing fresh fruits and buying organic, avoiding dairy, cutting out red meat. With all the chemicals we're bombarded with, we have to do all we can to minimize getting bad stuff in our bodies.

Excellent post! And thanks for stopping by my blog today.
Ann Best, Memoir Author