I'll be the first to admit my own guilt- I have a strong desire to be optimally healthy, and often feel guilty when I "cheat" and indulge. I went for my yearly health check-up yesterday and my doctor said "your labs are perfect, your vitals are perfect, you are not overweight (although I think I need to lose a few), your BMI is perfect, and you are not on any medications- I have nothing to add, just keep doing what you are doing!"...So, that got me thinking- what am I doing?
I spend a great deal of time reading and researching about health and wellness, and I have to admit it can be VERY confusing. Many years ago, as a nursing student, my class was given an assignment by the late, great Dr. Alex Ferry; He had us "research" something (I don't remember what) and we would be graded on how much supporting evidence we could find to support it. We were so stressed because everything was so contradictory. After we turned in our assignment, he told us that it was to only prove a point- that you can find evidence to support almost anything. How true! Just when you think you are doing the right thing for your health, another study comes out...For example, studies say that broccoli is a great anti-cancer food, however, it is a cruciferous vegetableand those are no-no's for your thyroid (which controls everything!); Vegan? or Paleo? both have great points- eating organic, whole foods while cutting out "white" processed stuff can't be bad, however some of the healthiest centenarians on the planet (in the blue zone of Costa Rica) live off of black beans and corn tortillas (a no-no on Paleo- and black beans have been shown to decrease your risk of colon cancer); cake on the sunscreen vs. benefits of Vitamin D; Tuna vs Mercury toxicity; mammograms are highly promoted and have been life changing for some, now "too much radiation to the breast", thermogram is en vogue, I think beneficial, yet hasn't made it's way to most Western medicine doctors; hormones...big topic- studies have shown that they can reduce your risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers, yet they can increase your risk for breast cancer- then there is the whole topic of bioidentical vs synthetic; green tea- tons of studies have shown the benefits of green tea on the body, yet some research is now saying to avoid green tea IF you have hypothyroid, nodules, or goiters; Red wine is a must, yet alcohol isn't good for you...the list goes on and on. No wonder people are confused!
So back to what I do...I once heard a physician say "it's not what you do (or don't do) 20% of the time that gets you, it's what you do 80% of time that really counts". I take Juice Plus, Vit D, a turmeric/resveratrol supplement, a probiotic, chia seeds in my shakes/juices, often mix my Vit C with organic apple cider vinegar, exercise regularly, pray, rest, laugh/socialize with great friends and family, and my "rule" (that I sometimes break) is "No white stuff (sugar, bread, rice, potato, pasta, flour) during the week, I buy organic fruits/veggies, free-range chicken and eggs, grass-fed beef (but I'm not a big fan of red meat), If I buy milk (other than coconut or almond milk) I make sure it is free of hormones, etc; drink lots of filtered water (alkaline when I can get it), juice fresh fruits and veggies often, drink warm lemon water daily, avoid pesticides, artificial sweeteners (stevia seems to be ok...at the moment) vaccines, toxic make-up, skin care, house cleaning products, laundry detergent; I have a farinfraredsauna and I do hot yoga as much as possible (sweating is so beneficial). However, if I want to have some gumbo or an oyster po-boy while watching the Saints play football, on a nice fall day with my family, I most definitely will, and I will not feel guilty about it. If I go to a great restaurant, that isn't all organic and grass fed, I am still going to eat there. To me, life is about finding balance...I will do what I can to decrease my toxic burden and support my temple, but I will not lose my joy by being fearful of everything I eat. Your body will let you know if you are on the right track or not- so relax, breath, and find your balance :-)
Y'all Be Well,
Lori
