Hello Beautiful Friends,
It might not feel like it yet but the good news is that yesterday was the first day of Spring! Warmer weather, sunshine and the season of growth, renewal and a perfect time to develop healthy habits.
As you begin to create develop healthy routines be patient with yourself. Remember it took you how many years to get to where you are today? The results you want might not happen overnight but one step forward at a time, my friend.
This week I want to share a simple reframe of thinking that will help you feel lighter, more vibrant and will also help you lose weight without feeling deprived.
I used to be addicted to sugar…aka legal crack. The white stuff had a hold on me and willing myself not to eat it didn’t always work. Leading me into a spiral of self-loathing and guilt when I gave in.
Do you know white sugar is processed with animal bone char and bleached white? Yuck!
I got smart and instead of saying “no” don’t eat this or that, I reframed my thinking and focused on abundance rather than deprivation. My daily goal was to get 5 servings of vegetables per day.
Today’s focus is greens. Any kind of greens–kale, spinach, arugula, broccoli, cabbage, green beans–you name it. Greens are nutritional powerhouses. Although I do enjoy their flavor, I am obsessed with how they make me feel: vibrant, light and happy. Bonus, my cravings for sugar went away!
I invite you to join the revolution. Switch your focus from deprivation to abundance.
Yes, it’s scary but at this point, what do you have to lose? Instead of taking away foods, crowd them out by committing to increasing your intake of foods that grow from the earth–starting with GREENS!
Within a few weeks you’ll notice a difference, both mentally and physically. You’ll feel lighter, your pants will fit better, and your sweet cravings will decreased, all of which will motivate you to continue focusing on increasing your green intake.
How many servings of greens do you eat each day?
You aren’t alone if you only get a serving or less a day. Greens are the food most commonly missing in American’s diets. I’m excited to share the fun, fast, and delicious tricks that have worked for me to boost my daily intake.
The more greens you juice, blend, and chew, the more vibrant you’ll feel. Everyday I start out with a green smoothie or juice. Lunch and dinner consists of a simple side or main salad, and for a mid-day pick me up I have celery and peanut butter or Amazing Grass protein shake which contains greens. Spring’s arrival makes it easier to eat raw greens which cuts the cook time to zero. You can add greens to eggs, in soups, on sandwiches, use them as sides, eat them raw, make kale chips, use collard greens instead of tortillas for wraps, and even disguise them in your favorite pasta.
Take Action: This week, purchase your favorite organic lettuce – spinach, arugula, baby kale, or mixed greens. Commit to eating at least one, maybe two salads per day for the next 2 weeks.
In the comments section below tell me one way you are going to increase you intake of greens this coming week?
Here is one my favorite, simple recipes to get your started.
Anti-inflammatory Kale Salad
This recipe is great it’s fast, delicious, and because unlike other salads it keeps for a day or two without getting soggy. Kale is an anti-inflammatory food, contains fiber, calcium and vitamin C, A and K. Avocados are a great source of healthy, monounsaturated fat, aids in reducing free radicals and is also anti-inflammatory. I bring it when I’m traveling on a plane or on road trips to save me from eating fast food.[custom_frame_right]
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Ingredients:
Directions:
1. In large bowl add a pinch of salt to the chopped kale and small amount of olive oil (about 1 Tbs. You can always add more).
2. Use your fingers to massage the mixture together,coating the kale lightly with oil and salt.
3. Add the lemon juice, and massage and mix.
4. Add the avocado, red onion and cherry tomatoes and toss.
Cheers to a warmer weather and yummy tasting greens,
Jackie