Road to Recovery: Changing your diet can change your life (Part I)
Ever try to learn more about Nutrition just to feel more confused than when you started? Trying to take charge and improve your health and well-being? There is so much information and miss-information and various studies, opinions, personal experiences, etc. out there that it is hard to know what to believe and what to try, or where to start. I am here to try and help you navigate and find a starting point — I hope it helps & good luck with your journey!
Okay, the truth is, we learn throughout our lives, experiences, and what we choose to focus on, as well as trial and error and what works for each one of us. Although I do feel there is a general ‘blueprint,’ I do also believe in not only personal choice, but also individuality. I do believe that heritage and genetics play a role, but that our overall biology is a major factor. I don’t know about you, but I remember learning about the differences between Carnivores, Omnivores, and Herbivores in grade school and again throughout middle and high school. A major difference in there categories is not just the foods they eat, but rather in the length and process of their digestion, and human beings are considered to be omnivores with a longer digestive system implying we are ‘supposed’ to be more plant based…
Now, I have always been a curious nerd always wanting to learn more type individual, and believe there is always more to learn. Luckily I have also always had an inclination towards touch (as well as a deep appreciation and joy of nature). Upon discovering massage was a trade I could pursue, my exciting journey began and — as FLSM’s saying went, it really was a journey worth taking. It was, and will forever be, one of the BEST decisions of my life. Not only for what I learned and gained from the program, but also because it lead me to so much more in my life journey. Since then, I have gone through Herbal, Yoga Teacher, Integrative Health Coach, Reiki, Rock Tape, etc. trainings, as well as additional learning, research, passions, and experiences.
As the Chinese Proverb says… “the journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.”
Oftentimes, I wonder if we might not know what the journey is or when the first step is taken and how important it is, but if/when you do know, does it make it any more or less special? Every part of our life is our individualized journey. Anyways, before I continue down a philosophical message I didn’t intend upon, let me pick a ‘starting’ point in my journey towards better awareness around health, wellness, and more specifically, nutrition.
It was around the time I started massage school when and where I was learning so many wonderful things I had been yearning for deep within my soul… There were many great influences pretty early into this career change/training that started my health journey, but here are 3 books and a documentary that got me started.
The first one was Dr. Joel Furhman’s Eat to Live, where he discussed not only the importance of great nutrition and what that looked like to him, but also what he called ‘true hunger.’ The second book was Dr. David Perlmutter’s Grain Brain; which, as I am sure you might imagine, is about grains and specifically Gluten — what it is, how it has changed, what it does to the gut and the brain, and so on. The third book was Green For Life by Victoria Boutenko which is all about green smoothies, the nutrients broken down, how are bodies work, and her personal journey, as well as her husband’s, out of a state of declining health — all in a quick easy and understandable read.
Lastly, was the documentaries Reboot, which was a personal juicing journey, and Forks Over Knives, in which they go over so much data and research from their book The China Study— just a slew of information.
These were (and are) great resources that got me started. They helped propel me on my adventure towards, what I hope & believe to be, enlightenment and improved health.
Honestly, going Gluten Free was an incredibly positive choice that I would never take back — and I have visited Italy twice now. It helped clear up soooo many things for me, including but not limited to: my skin, menstruation cramping and regularity as well as flow, headaches, digestion (including cramping, bloat and discomfort, and bowel movements), muscle fatigue and cramping, sinus and ear infections, overall inflammation and irritation, etc.. Could some of this be related to improved eating overall, absolutely. Regardless though, I feel better without it in my system and so does my husband (like him also not eating it, not just my being happier and healthier lol)— good enough for me!
Fast forward again to introduce a book I cannot stop recommending (and I recommend all kinds of books ALL. the. Time.), How Not to Die by Dr Michael Greger. Seriously one of the BEST books I have ever read and listened too -and that is a lot (although I do say how much I love so many books lol but truly this one is phenomenal)!
If you want research and data that is presented in an interesting, insightful, even funny way that is also extremely useful and powerful but also not pushy or filled with any kind of an agenda other than sharing his passion for improving people’s lives through quality nutrition & information… SEARCH NO FURTHER!
I have listened to it numerous times and have the physical copy all sorts of high-lighted and marked up — LoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoVe this book as well as his genuine purpose. (All the proceeds from the sale of this book fund his non-for-profit website NutritionFact.org in order to constantly supply updated research and information to the public 100% FREE!)
He does a great job of delivering, in the written word as well as his self-read audiobook, this information interestingly, with humor, and compassion. I love how he advocates for a whole-food plant based diet but doesn’t ‘hit you over the head with it’ so to speak. He understands we all have different want and needs and desires, and encourages making healthy changes — not necessarily a Vegan, Vegetarian, Keto, Paleo, or ___ diet.
I know this had a lot of reference material in it, but I hope it was still useful and helps you on your path of improved health and I hope to write more in the days, weeks, and years to come. One of the simplest things you can do to start with now is to simply drink more water — you might be surprised at just how much of a difference that can make! Side note, it is best to hydrate between meals rather than with meals.
Until next time,
Your Idealistic HolisticNerd ~ Mind. Body. Spirit. ~
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Learn how to naturally lower your cholesterol by clicking the link below :)
A couple recipes for your enjoyment :)
Disclaimer: Although I have personal and professional experience in the health and wellness field, including nutrition, I am not a certified/licensed nutritionist. I am a Certified Integrative Health Coach, Herbalist, LMT, Enthusiat, etc.. The information contained in this, or any, article is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The contents of this article are not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disorder.
(Note: The links/books/etc. mentioned in the article are NOT affiliate links, and I do NOT earn any commission.)
For more stories from me, if you enjoyed, please follow and help spread the love. I would love to gain 100+ followers and fulfill a lifelong dream of being a successful writer. I hope to inspire and help people however I can. Your shares, claps, and followings are all helpful and appreciated! By no means do you have to sign-up for a membership on Medium, although I love mine. You can still follow, clap, and read up to 3 stories a month for free! Thank you and Blessings 🙏🏼
Your Idealistic HolisticNerd ~ ❤ Mind ❤ Body ❤ Spirit/Soul ❤ ~
Additional Side Note: I am a Certified & Licensed Massage Therapist (with various additional trainings & certifications), Certified 200 hour Yoga Teacher, Herbalist (not just self-proclaimed, I went through an apprenticeship), Reiki Master, IIN Health Coach, Rock Tape Certified Specialist, Touch For Health Practitioner, Previous Entrepreneur and Small Business Owner, Certified Aromatherapist in training, Yoga Therapist in training, lover of life, natural and social sciences, Jesus, and so much more. I have 3 Associate’s degrees and a great deal of life experience.
I share these things not to brag — believe me, I am still working on being able to be nice to myself. I share these things so that whoever reads this knows that I do have a wide background of interests, education, and experiences. I love to learn and read and grow. If I had the time and money, I would chase so many dreams and degrees and change the world as best I could for the betterment of all … I feel the way I can best serve, now, is to write — I just hope it helps someone.
Thank you. Thank you more than words can say for reading, following, clapping, commenting, and trusting me however much you do. It is not without gratitude and appreciation to all those who support and who I hope to help along the way.
With Love, Light, and Blessings ❤
