Let’s talk food

We all love it, we can’ live without it, but there is always that challenge of developing a healthy relationship. That healthy relationship has to occur in two ways, there are the obvious healthy food, but also a healthy mental relationship so we don’t fear food. I can’t count the number of people I know right now and have encountered while nutrition counseling that are scared of food. So I wanted to talk a bit about the mental side right now from my point of view.

Life isn’t simple and making your food choices aren’t exactly easy. There is that mental battle at Starbucks of a Java Mocha Frappucino latte with extra whip and syrup, or a plain coffee. Obviously the word plain creates a negative view of it instantly. I mention Starbucks because that where I sit as I write this, hoping to snag some WIFI as I find new environments. Try it though, think about one of those dedicantly evil foods and its healthy alternative, most the time we throw plain in front of it, instantly setting ourselves up for disappointment.  It all becomes a mind game of swinging towards positive thinking. Plain becomes all a matter of perspective. 

Catch me on just about every day and I will shed some positive light, I like smiling, and certainly more fun to smile that furrow your brow and sink your head. How can we swing these choices to appear positive? Positive reinforcement is generally a pretty good way to set you up to continue down a desired path. When we introduce that plain negative reinforcement; resentment is sure to follow.

 

Ask yourself an important question right now. Do you desire to be healthy and happy? I know I sure as hell do and I am. Then again that is easy to say when you have jetted off to a foreign country for an adventure.  Enriched by my life choices is how I feel. Almost 16 years ago this winter my life changed, and it wasn’t until 8 years after that moment I truly gained full respect for what that change did.

Faced with an endless list of NO foods, limited YES amongst chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, all those things we are told to eat became a necessity. Eat this yes foods, you feel energetic, can spend time with friends and family, think clearly and of course enjoy life.

I keep coming back to asking you questions. This is because I want you to make these decisions for yourself not what other people say. If you start choosing more of these YES foods, which not only apply to my dietary challenges and me but to everyone, you will notice a difference in your life’s force. It may even be worth changing these names to make them seem less well plain.

Here is an example of one of my latest enrichment dishes and also one I had a restaurant here in Seoul. 

2 cooked chicken breasts (yes friend in a little oil, this is still healthy)

2 cups spinach

1 cup red cabbage

½ onion

1 cup bean sprouts

2 cloves garlic

½ inch chopped ginger

¼ cup tomato paste

Mustard

3 sheets of rice paper

This all lasted for about 2 meals for me.

And the Korean Dish Bulgogi.  

Next time I think I may talk about cheating.