Food is the Best Medicine

Some years ago, Dr. Conrad Esselstyn and Colin Campbell combined their expertise in clinical nutrition and nutritional research and created a compelling video called Forks over Knives. It reinforced the finding that there is one true path toward lifelong wellness, and that is food.

Like Dan Buettner. who wrote The Blue Zone, they showed that eating fresh unprocessed food makes a world of difference in health and wellness, and may be the only medicine needed throughout life.

It’s been my mission since 2005 to help whoever is ready and open to living with the simple belief that whole foods are the answer. It doesn’t mean you can never have a treat, or a pizza, or fried clams or chips. What it means is that most of your food falls into the categories of fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, clean meat and seafood, nuts, beans, fermented foods, and seeds.

It also means that while staying within these parameters, there may be times when some of these foods don’t agree with you or you just don’t like them. That is your bio-individuality speaking to you and awakening you to which foods work for you and which foods do not.

As a subscriber to my newsletter you may know I offer nutritional cleanses 3 times annually.  I posted information about the upcoming Spring Cleanse and Reset in the last newsletter and want to remind you the discounted rate ends tomorrow April 10th, so don’t delay if you plan to join us.

Karen was a first-time cleanser with Wellness and You.  This is what she relayed back to me a week after the cleanse ended:

“I finished the cleanse 6 days ago and I’ve re-introduced coffee, bread, and yogurt into my diet.

Coffee:  Have changed cups to 1 eight-oz cup and thoroughly enjoy 1 cup in the morning.

Bread:  2 slices per day/max - not every day

Yogurt:  about 1/2c to 1 cup per day with breakfast and occasionally with fresh/frozen berries and nuts as an afternoon treat or in an afternoon smoothie. 

Sweetener:  maple sugar only and the amount is regulated.

Here’s what I have noticed since finishing the cleanse:

Hair Loss:  Definitely have noticeably less hair loss when I wash my hair.  I love it!  That benefit alone is worth changing one’s diet!

Mornings:  hip pain is gone (yeahhh); overall stiffness diminished; no morning fog at all upon waking.

Throughout the day:  higher energy levels. 

Sweet tooth lower: I didn’t enjoy the taste that much - that surprised me!

Again, I’m delighted.  I’m not craving sugary sweets and deliberately not bringing any into my pantry.

I like your meal plan so much!  It has given me a simple, viable, healthy plan to follow and remove the angst around grocery shopping and quantity to purchase. 

Peg, thank you for your expertise.  Your cleanse plan really helped me understand what I needed to do to live well and age well.  I am very grateful for the experience.”

You see from Karen’s experience a single week of really good food and awareness of how it makes you feel can be life changing. If you need a jumpstart and a reset to your food, the Spring Cleanse will help you. Read more here.

Recipe Idea

If warm weather is edging you toward more salads, try this quinoa salad, packed with anti-inflammatory herbs, protein and vegetables. Substitute where you like - I prefer kalamata olives to green olives so I substitute them.

Herbal Quinoa Salad

Ingredients: (serves 4-6)

1 1/2 cups dry quinoa, rinsed thoroughly

3 cups purified water

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

6 tablespoons olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup finely chopped parsley

1 tablespoon each fresh thyme & marjoram, chopped

1 medium cucumber, chopped small, peel if the skin is bitter

2 stalks celery, minced

2 scallions, minced

2 tablespoons green olives, chopped (optional)

Directions:

1. In a heavy bottomed saucepan bring the quinoa, water and salt to a boil.
2. Cover and turn to lowest heat. Cook undisturbed for 15 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let quinoa steam for 5 more minutes.
4. While the quinoa is cooking prepare the other ingredients.
5. In a bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt and pepper.
6. When the quinoa has finished steaming fluff it with a fork.
7. Transfer the hot quinoa into the bowl
8. Gently mix the quinoa into the vegetables. Chill before serving.

Need help with your nutrition or is the lifestyle you’re leading that gets in the way of healthy eating? If so, contact me - I am here to listen.

Follow me on my FB Wellness and You page

Stay well, be happy, and take good care of yourself.

Love,

Peg

BIO:  

Peg Doyle has been helping women over 50 change their eating for the better for nearly 21 years, She helps you identify your goals and supports you with accountability but no judgment.

Visit WellnessandYou.com to connect with Peg