Clean eating is a term we hear more of these days. In fact, there is even a new magazine, Clean Eating. We’ll discuss this topic in more detail in a little bit. First, let me begin with a little introduction to the topic.
Week 2 of my nutrition school program with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) was very educational regarding nutritional and dietary theories.
What I have taken away from the lessons from this past week is a confirmation of what I have personally experienced in my own life – a validation that I’ve been on the right track! That is that my very own health journey over this past 12-18 months has brought me to the place where I am ready to trust my body to know what is best for it in terms of the food I eat.
This is because the body knows intuitively what it needs and will give us the clues. We not only must give it the chance to do so, but we need to be able to recognize when it does.
How many of you would like to experience this for yourselves? How do we accomplish this?
I’ll tell you how to get started on your journey, which I believe is the easiest way to get started on a path to eating healthy and having more energy and a clear mind, which is essential for the very busy entrepreneur or business professional.
This is based on what my own experience has been, and it involves simply adding very nutritious foods to your daily diet. This does not involve taking anything away from you at this time.
When selecting foods to purchase for nourishment of your body, think of two words: CLEAN EATING.
Think about clean eating. That is a nice term to think of. It makes sense. Clean eating is highly recommended if you want to have a clear mind. Entrepreneurs must have a clear mind to keep a focus on their business, do you agree?
“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.” ~ B.K.S. Iyengar
Think about the food you are craving, wanting to eat, or tempted to purchase at the store. Ask yourself where did it come from? Was it grown naturally (versus man-made or laboratory-created)? Was it grown organically (without the use of pesticides or genetic
modification)? If it is an animal food, was it raised humanely and fed natural grass rather than mass-produced and fed highly herbicide/pesticide-treated grain? Think ‘Clean’. I know you’ll know which choices are the clean choices as long as you keep these questions in mind.
Think whole foods, fresh foods, organic foods, unprocessed foods. Work on including more of these in your diet daily.
Do you want to know one of the best ways to start your day? Start your day with a green smoothie! This is one secret that I’ve shared with others, and I have always heard back with positive reactions. Greens are amazing for the body! Here are some great green smoothie recipes to help you get inspired!
I had gotten away from a routine of daily green smoothies sometime during this past year as I’ve tried other foods to start my day while on my journey in discovering what is best for my body.
I am planning to return to my green smoothies again this next week because they are the easiest way to get more greens in my diet. I love salads, too, but they do take a lot of time to prepare, not to mention they take time to chew, so I know my busy schedule will allow a green smoothie much better. It only takes about 5 minutes to blend one up – no kidding!
My 20-month-old grandson is my best customer for green smoothies – he has been drinking them since he was 6 months old, and I know his body intuitively knows these are really good for him. He knows what I’m up to when I’m collecting the ingredients to throw in the blender – his anticipation of the treat to come is priceless! 
I challenge you to take the step towards clean eating and introducing more whole foods, fresh foods, organic foods, and unprocessed foods into your daily diet.
I challenge you to start your day with a green smoothie.
I know this is going to give you the best chance at a good start for your day, knowing you’re getting lots of great oxygen-boosting antioxidant-rich chlorophyll, as well as many great vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber and protein from the greens (also add a nut butter – raw whenever possible – for added protein and creaminess!).
I’m anxious to hear from you about your experience with making some of these changes!
Do share what positive changes you have made! This is what encourages others! What was the most impressive improvement in your health and from what change that you made? What have you learned from this experience? Have you shared this experience with others and if so, what has their experience been?
Don’t forget to share this awesome information with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter.
Your Partner in Success,
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree whole-heartedly that simply adding very nutritious foods to your daily diet is the perfect first step. The giving up other foods can come as you go more naturally – right? Once the clean food energy is felt in the body you’ll likely want more
Hi Robin,
Exactly! The desire to give up the less nutritious foods will naturally come in time while concentrating on including more nutrient-dense fresh, organic foods, particularly those that are alkaline. That’s why I love green smoothies, but I have to watch the sugar content, personally. Thank you for stopping by!
~ Beth
Food controls your health. The US Gov’t is slowly starting to admit that pestisides, bovine growth hormones and other lab made ingredients are the reason so many people in this country have cancer. The only way to avoid this is to eat all organic food. Nothing like a steak from a grass fed cow.
With a healthy body it is much easier to have a healthy mind. Lets not even talk about what the floride in the water does to you. It makes you dosile and zombie like.
I can’t wait to hear week 3!
BJ recently posted..You Are A Multi Level Marketer
Hello BJ,
Oh, boy… my family can vouch for the fact that I rant often about our love affair in this country with pesticides, growth hormones, genetically-modified food, fluoride, and so much more!
I agree with you, BJ – not only is eating all organic giving you the best chance to avoid these chemicals, but we need to think about the multitude of ways these things are absorbed by our body – the water we drink, the water we shower with, the products we use on our body, to brush our teeth, etc. Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, would definitely agree with your ‘zombie-like’ statement, and I believe that once people can lift the fog that these chemicals are causing, they may actually be better able to make healthy choices!
Yes, steak from a grass-fed cow is heavenly! I just eat much less meat – more like a side with my veggies. This has served me well! I hope everyone can find a good source of local farm-raised grass-fed animals for their meat, chicken, and egg supply. Ours here is phenomenal! For every $120 we spend, we receive an 8 oz. beef tenderloin fillet cut for free! Thanks for stopping by, BJ!
~ Beth
Beth~
I couldn’t agree more! I started at a young age believing in the power of Clean Eating. Unfortunately I allowed myself to be distracted away from the path! Now, years later I’ve found my way back! Montel Williams in his book “Living Well” was my first introduction to green drinks. Like you, I can’t think of a better way to start the day! Thank you for sharing this valuable post!!
Linda
Linda G. Cox @multiple sclerosis recently posted..Ampyra Update January 27- 2011
Hi Linda!
I’m so glad you stopped by here – thank you for your nice comments!
I can say that I, too, have allowed myself to be distracted away from the right path of eating numerous times over my lifetime. I do love the alkalizing effect of the green smoothies, and it is such a great way to get the greens in the diet! I’ll have to check out the Montel Williams book.
I look forward to learning so much from you at your amazing blog http://lindagraceonline.com/ as well as your MS site.
~ Beth
I like the ckecklist you have made here that I may use in checking out the foods that I just want to eat. I am a secret admirer of Snickers bars. I admit I have not had one in 2011. However, I realize that a Snickers bar may not pass the basic criteria of green food. Great post Beth
Allan recently posted..Balancing Entrepreneurship and the Day Job
Hi Al,
It is nice to see you! I have a secret for you, too – Snickers happens to be one of my weaknesses, too! I am not perfect! I am human and have cravings. I will be learning about these cravings and what they mean so I can learn to overcome them (generally it is something else missing). Yes, green foods are much better for us!!
Thanks for stopping by!
~ Beth