Gratitude is Good for Your Health

Every Thanksgiving we take time to be thankful for all that we have in our lives; our families and friends, our neighbors, and our careers that allow us the means by which we can provide for our families.

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Thanksgiving is also a time for reflection, an opportunity for us to express our gratitude for not just our possessions, but also for the variety of experiences and lessons, both good and bad, that bring us to a greater understanding of ourselves, each other, and this miraculous world that we live in.

While there are many things that we have absolutely no control over, such as the path of a hurricane or the national debt, life lessons have a way of showing us the ONLY things that we DO have control over: our attitude and our health. With a positive attitude not only can enormous financial and emotional losses be overcome, but it is through a positive attitude that we can learn to finally take responsibility for our health, overcome chronic and debilitating illnesses, and be able to fully enjoy the life we were given. Often it is a fateful diagnosis or the unexpected passing of a loved one that wakes us up from the complacency of our unconscious choices. When suddenly faced with a shortened life that has become dependent on prescriptions and/or surgery for “lifestyle” conditions such as obesity, diabetes II and heart disease, many people begin to understand that the path to good health is A CHOICE.

It all starts by giving thanks for where you are now. Although you may be struggling with weight gain, allergies, digestive issues or joint pain, thank your body for getting you this far! Often, the human body experiences many years of abuse in the form of too much nutrient-poor foods, too much caffeine and alcohol, and too little sleep before any symptoms begin to show up. The good news is that numerous studies have shown that by intentionally and consciously making food and lifestyle choices that support your physical and emotional needs, you can actually REVERSE symptoms of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes II and obesity, as well as immune, hormonal, and digestive disorders. Take time this Thanksgiving to give gratitude for your ability to learn how to take better care of yourself for your body’s amazing ability to heal and renew when given clean water, nutrient-rich foods, sunshine, and exercise.

When we recognize and acknowledge the amazing abilities that we possess as human beings, it becomes easier to care for and nurture our bodies, minds and hearts. While dieting requires you to force yourself to stick to a program through willpower alone, adopting a long-term healthy lifestyle only requires you to understand what your body needs to be healthy - no willpower needed!

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful to have the opportunity to share my knowledge on how you easily can make powerful and lasting changes in your current state of health. Whether you have been struggling with a long term chronic health issue or have recently started experiencing annoying or uncomfortable symptoms, my 10 Steps to Better and Lasting Health will guide you to greater health and happiness now and for years to come.
 

1. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of clean, filtered water. Coffee, tea and soda all weaken your body by removing water and valuable nutrients.
   
   
2. Pay careful attention to keeping your insulin levels down by avoiding sugar, high fructose corn syrup, fruit juices, refined carbohydrates, and processed grains.
   
   
3. Be sure to have at least 1 ounce of high quality organic hormone-free protein like egg, poultry, beef, wild game, wild-caught seafood or vegetable protein like beans or nuts at every meal.
    
4. Consume healthy fats such as organic butter, animal fat from pastured animals, coconut oil, avocados, and raw nuts. Avoid processed hydrogenated fats like nearly all commercial vegetable oils that are high in omega-6 fats, such as canola, soy and corn oils.
   
   
5.  Include plenty of higher whole carbohydrate foods, like organic leafy greens, broccoli, asparagus, beans, beets, sweet potatoes, squashes, whole grains, etc. Be sure that your cooked vegetables still maintain most of their nutrients by cooking them using the waterless method (not boiled or microwaved).
   
   
6. Eat plenty of raw organic vegetables like salads, and naturally fermented foods like homemade sauerkraut or organic Greek yogurt.
   
   
7. Manage your stress through giving thanks, through spiritual connection, making time to play and enjoy hobbies, and positive relationships with family, friends and co-workers. Be sure to get support when you need it. One of the best ways to reduce stress is through regular and safe exercise. Try alternating short burst high intensity exercise along with moderate aerobic activity, which is how your body was designed to perform.
   
   
8. Get sun exposure to optimize your vitamin D levels by spending an appropriate and safe amount of time outdoors without the use of sunscreen.
   
   
9. Limit exposure to toxins of all kinds- from pesticides in foods, additives, artificial colors, household cleaners, and body care products- by replacing with natural and non-toxic products.
   
   
10. Get plenty of sleep to allow your body to repair, reset, and recharge.