One of my ultimate goals with this blog is to show others that healthy eating can be fun, simple, and delicious!
Each and every day we are faced with decisions – some of those decisions are harder than others. Some decisions require making life-changing choices.
However, the choice to eat healthy doesn’t have to be hard. But it can certainly be life-changing.
An easy, life-changing decision? I AM SO IN. In fact, I have been in for going on four years.
Roughly four years ago, I made the decision to harness my full potential. For me, that started with a full diet and lifestyle overhaul. I knew that I had the potential to do and be whatever I wanted but I was weighing myself down (and holding myself back) with fast food and a sedentary lifestyle. {Check out the “my story” tab to learn more about that decision.}
The decision-part was easy. The journey was (and still is at times) tough. But the results were (and continue to be) the greatest gift I have ever given myself.
With that said, I recognize the challenges we face in this fast-paced society. Fast food restaurants loom on every corner. Convenience foods stock the shelves of grocery stores, gas stations, and vending machines. Every day, you have to make the conscious (and sometimes difficult) decision to eat your packed lunch rather than walk (or drive) down the street to your favorite fast food joint. You have to choose health. Health doesn’t choose you.
Do you know what’s comforting? Knowing that we are all in this TOGETHER. You are not the only one who struggles with these choices. Each and every day I pass at least 12 fast food joints on my commute. Each and every day I see cars lined up in the drive-thru of those same places. To be honest, it makes me sad. You know why? Because I used to be one of those people in the drive-thru line. I’ve been there and I deeply feel for those people who are caught up in our fast food nation.
Just yesterday, I was facing an hour commute after my 13-hour day. I had underestimated the amount of food I would need for the day and my hunger was kicking in. I wanted something quick and easy and fast food was sounding more and more appealing.
And then I remembered that:
Fruit is fast food.
Raw almonds or cashews or pistachios are fast food.
Whole wheat toast topped with fresh avocado and tomatoes is fast food.
Chopped veggies and hummus are fast food.
The list goes on and on…
So I made the choice to stop at the student center and grab fresh cut veggies and a Sabra container of pretzels and hummus to keep the hunger at bay during the drive home. You know how this made me feel? Proud. And there is nothing wrong with being proud of yourself – in fact, it’s necessary. If certain decisions or actions make you feel proud, then you’ll be more likely to repeat them again.
Making healthy choices often seems too complicated and too time-consuming. And the drive thru seems like the easy way out. I am here to tell you that it’s not. I, too, thought healthy eating was complicated.
The big problem was that (years ago) I didn’t even know what “healthy eating” was. I bought into the fad diets and assumed that the only way to lose weight was to a.) cut out carbs, b.) starve yourself by eating only lettuce, or c.) spend 3 hours in the gym every day. Sure, you’ll probably lose some pounds if you do any of the above. You’ll also sabotage your metabolism in the process. You’ll probably gain back the weight you lost, plus some. I certainly did. And where does that leave you? Right back at square one—yet again feeling crappy, fatigued, bloated, and unhappy.
For each person that makes the decision to pass up on the fast food in favor of fresh food made at home, the demand for fast food goes down while the demand for fresh food goes up. From a purely economical standpoint, it’s supply and demand. When we choose to fill our grocery cart with fresh (preferably organic) foods rather than processed crap – we are sending a MESSAGE. The power we have as consumers is immense. If everyone all of sudden stopped buying frozen TV dinners, the demand would plummet. Right?
I know I am being idealistic here in thinking that everyone will jump on the healthy eating bandwagon. Realistically, I know that change and reform takes time. And there will always be those on the other side of the debate – those that don’t want things to change. I do think, however, that being idealistic can have a ripple effect. I will NEVER stop sharing my passion for healthy living. I will NEVER stop sending my message through my actions as a consumer. I will NEVER stop dreaming, hoping, and pushing for change in the food industry.
Think about this: as we have become more technologically advanced, disease rates have skyrocketed. Having access to fresh, healthy foods is easier than ever, yet obesity rates are at an all-time-high. Our children are getting diseases that were once thought to only exist in adults. Today, we spend LESS on food but MORE on healthcare. I would rather spend the extra money on healthy, organic food now then on surgery/prescriptions down the line.
Healthcare is, of course, extremely important. But PREVENTION is essential. Help your immune system prevent and ward off disease with a healthy lifestyle.
Because while you might not feel the effects of an unhealthy lifestyle right now – it will probably catch up to you someday. It did for me. As a late teen/20-something, I didn’t think anything of filling my body with chemical crap and fried foods. I thought – I’m young. I’m healthy. I’m invincible. Unfortunately, you can only abuse your body for so long until it fights back.
So, let us send our message through our actions.
Do you wish your favorite restaurant/grocery store/convenience store stocked more organic options? TELL THEM.
Do you wish your office vending machine offered fresh fruit instead of candy bars and chips? LET THEM KNOW.
If companies know the demand is there, then they will rise up to meet it. After all, satisfied customers are the driving force behind a successful business.
Start small. Make simple swaps. Experiment with healthy meals. Make it fun. Get your family involved. Make a goal to try one new vegetable or fruit each week.
As you make these changes – be cognizant of the way your views on food change. And most importantly, enjoy the energy that clean eating brings.
Don’t just sit back and allow our world, our children, and our families be overridden by a nation of FAST FOOD. I am talking about fast food of the unhealthy variety because healthy food can and usually is fast! Speak up. Make your voice heard by your ACTIONS. Ultimately, actions speak louder than words.
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Mahatma Gandhi once said: “An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.”
I’ve often been told to: “Lead by example.”
In addition, my Mom gave me some valuable advice just last week. After I finished preaching to her about the value of a plant-based diet, she said: “Stef, I know that you are passionate about leading a healthy lifestyle. And I know that you want to share that passion with others. But preaching is not the way to bring others to share your point of view. In fact, preaching turns people off. No one wants to feel judged by their lifestyle. So instead of preaching, keep setting an example. Use your blog as a platform to share your life and your decisions. If others see the far-reaching positive effects that your choices have had, then they will be interested in doing the same.” Smart woman.
So rather than continuing my preaching, I am going to start two new series here on The New Healthy. Both are geared towards showing others that healthy eating can be simple, delicious, and fun.
The first series is called “Healthy Eating with a Twist.” For these posts, I’ll share fun (and easy) meals that I create.
The second will be called' “Simple Swaps to Clean up your Diet.”
Stay tuned. :)
-Stefanie
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