Mind Body Health
When it comes to smarts about our nutrition we really need to take responsibility for our mind body health. One of the three pillars of my optimal health paradigm is optimal nourishment. Believing that with the right nutrition we can revitalize and restore any health challenge. My motto being that ‘we need to outrun the bus’, therefore the focus of the proper fuel is essential. In my work as a naturopath what I’ve discovered is that if we can bring a mindfulness into any health challenge we will have more of an opportunity for success.
Optimal nutrition being the first pillar for mind and body health is essential for creating hormonal balance, digestive health, emotional well-being, radiant skin, as well as immune health. Mindful nutrition for summer and overal mind body health would include eating organic especially protein, fruits and vegetables, eating plant-based, eating low-glycemic, eating high fiber foods, eating an alkaline diet, limiting dairy, and incorporating super-foods such as dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds, tumeric, ginger, garlic, and green tea. Additional principles include engaging in periods of nutritional cleansing as well as incorporating some supplements based on your individual need. General women’s health supplements include a multi-vitamin, calcium magnesium, B complex, and fish oil.
Mindful eating must be the heart and soul of any health transformation program. My mindful eating program includes food journaling, paying attention to signals of hunger and fullness, meal structure, eating triggers, and ultimately learning how to eat for ones personal nutrient needs. Mindful eating must also include mindful cooking. An important aspect of mindful cooking would involve paying attention to not only nutritional principles but what our body needs at that particular time. For example, some people do better eating less carbohydrates or only having carbohydrates in the morning while others thrive on protein. In order to cook mindfully we need to pay attention to our own needs. Meal preparation must include the balance of nutrients, 65% carbohydrates, 20-25% fats, and 20-25% protein. Everyone could benefit from eating more of a plant-based diet which includes more raw fruits and vegetables especially in the summer. Summer mindful cooking may include more inspired salads, veggie burgers, nut and bean dips, and cleansing vegetable and fruit smoothies. Here is an example of an inspired salad to get you through the summer:
Arugula, Lentil, Quinoa Salad
with a lemon vinaigrette
1 small bag of arugula
1 grated carrot
1 1/2 cups of cooked lentils
1/2 cup of finely-cubed fresh mozzarella
1 cup of red quinoa
lemon vinaigrette
Juice 2 lemons
whisk in 1/2 cup of olive oil
salt & pepper to taste