While both of these are emotions worth exploring, I'm talking about the Standard American Diet (SAD), sometimes referred to as the Modern American Diet (MAD). The overly processed foods and chemical food additives that have assaulted the industrialized way of eating, primarily since WWII, has made our nation sick and depressed (sad) and should make us mad!
The good news is that we have a choice. We can eat the tasty (read: salty, fatty, and sweet) food we grew up with or we can join the revolt and take back our palates, not to mention healthy, lean bodies. Enjoying real, whole, beautiful food takes a bit of getting used to, but our taste buds are resilient and our bodies are worth it.
As the saying goes, "necessity is the mother of invention." If that holds true, then war is her first-born. During WWII, the industrialized preservation of food for long-distance transportation fed the troops far and wide, it was a blessing and a necessity for survival. Never before had meals been canned, freeze-dried, powdered, and packaged for long-distance travel as they were in the 1940s. After the war, manufacturers refocused to provide the convenience of packaged, canned and frozen meals to the modern family. Convenience was the name of the game. Additionally, all those chemicals used in warfare became pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer for the modern and (again) industrialized farm.
Fast forward to the most recent turn of the century. We've all heard that obesity is on the rise and that we are the fattest nation in history. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
- More than one-third (36.5%) of U.S. adults have obesity.
- Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death. 1
So what's really happening? Clearly all the fad diets, fat-free products, and chemical additives that have been perfected over the last 50+ years and hidden in those convenience "foods" didn't meet the needs of our ever-expanding yet under-nourished bodies. So what's a body to do?
Take control of your palate and your body by choosing fresh, whole, quality food. Try new and interesting veggies and fruits, buy a new cookbook filled with healthy and tasty recipes or create a Pinterest page with the same (and use it). Choose quality, grass-fed (not feed lot), nitrate-free meat and eat it in moderation. Fill up on whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruit and more vegetables than you ever thought possible.
In the beginning, your shocked digestive track will protest but stay strong and it will surrender. Before long, your body will thank you for the change by performing physically and mentally like the well-oiled machine it is. You'll have energy to spare, think more clearly, and sleep deeply.
Don't know where to start? I'd love to hear your wellness goals and walk along side you to help you reach them. I won't recommend another diet, I'll teach you how to choose whole, healthy, quality foods and what to do with them (so they don't become a science experiment in your refrigerator). I'll encourage you to prepare your meals at home and applaud you as you find new and fun ways to move your body, I'll educate you on additives to avoid and ways in which you can achieve better sleep. We'll talk about lifestyle choices, attitude, and stress reduction - all of which play into a healthy, peaceful, and happy life.
Contact me for a free consultation.
1 Adult Obesity Facts. (2018, March 5). Retrieved April 3, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/ adult.html
In the meantime, here's a recipe that I whipped up for our Easter that everyone loved. I think you will too.
Can't Wait for Summer Easter Salad
by Betty Hayes April-3-2018
This summery throw-together salad was the perfect addition to our family Easter dinner. Hearty, healthy and yummy.
- 1 can Black Beans
- 1 cup Corn, frozen
- 1 Red Onion, medium, diced
- 2 cups Tomatoes, chopped
- 1 Avocado, chopped
- 1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped
- pinch Salt
- to taste Red Pepper flakes (optional)
Rinse black beans and corn. Add all ingredients to serving dish and stir to combine. Optional: Add a vinaigrette to the whole recipe or place dressing on the table for your guests to add to taste.
Prep time: 10 minsCook time:Total time: 10 minsYield: 8 servings