The importance of diet for health

As an adult, we often fall into habits, good and bad, when it comes to what we eat.  We've learned to eat on the run, to grab a snack or two to keep us going through a long work day, and to make-do with store-bought fruit smoothies that taste great but are often filled with sugar.  But something strange happens when we have children. Our innate need to provide them with a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet , begins to affect the way we all eat.  If we think it is important to feed them organic pureed fruits and vegetables, we too might buy organics for our meal.  If we believe in quality over quantity, we'll eat fewer quick fillers and focus more on the nutritional aspects of our main meals.  If we want to prepare healthy snacks for our kids, we are inspired to bake and make quick and easy things at home using wholesome ingredients.

Lately, I've been thinking about my health and eating patterns lately. As a whole, my family and I eat really really well.  But when it comes to chocolate, I am an all-or-nothing girl.  There is no such thing as moderation and my renewed chocolate addiction (after 7 years completely chocolate free) was getting seriously OUT OF CONTROL!!!!  I have been watching my body grow larger than I am comfortable with, and for the first time went over the 60kg mark during the Christmas week. 60kg has always been my stop gap-  and it frightened me that I was so blase about crossing it. To make changes, I have to set boundaries.  Boundaries that are flexible, and open, but that give me a guide to follow, especially in the moment when I am hungry and don't have anything healthy in view. Healthy boundaries also stop me from buying too many treats or processed snacks when I am in a 'oh, a little bit won't hurt them' kind of mode.  It means a little planning too, so I dont get caught out.

These are the new guidelines I'm going to strive to live by for health:

1.  Visit the 'stupor'market less, and the farmers market more.   I read a book called "Evie's Kitchen" by Shazzi who advocates for raw food, and whilst I am not a "raw foodie" (nor could I ever be), she makes some interesting points about food.  She also gave me the term "'stupor-market", which is my new favourite word.  If you are into raw food, or even if you are not, this book has lots of yummy recipes to try. 
2.  Make friends with my greengrocer.  Whilst this goal seems like it should be easy, in my town, it is not.  You see, there is NOT ONE greengrocer for my town of over 20,000 people or those in the local hills.  Can you believe it?  The only options for fruits and veg come from the two 'stupor'markets or the local organic shop which only has a small variety and supply.   I'm going to cross the highway to the next suburb and make a new Greengrocer friend there!
3.   Eat PURE.  When Ned was a little baby, covered in red exezma (poor kid never had a chance with an asthmatic father and sister, and a hayfever allergy mum), my naturopath advised an Alkaline diet (namely 80% alkaline food, and 20% acid foods).  I instantly lost weight  and felt great because my diet was all about fruits and vegies but it felt a little restrictive.  But the principle was good.  So, my new goal is to eat 'pure'.  By this, I mean eating the most wholesome, unprocessed version of a particular food.  Things straight from the ground and trees (fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains- without chemical residues where possible) and food from animals that have been treated with respect such as free-range eggs, biodynamic milk and grass-fed meat). I'll add to this list things that I have made from these pure foods and things others have made from these pure foods.  Oh, and little or no sugar.  I know sugar is like a drug for me.  I think it does make me go into a 'stupor'!

4.  Read the book (once again) "IN DEFENSE OF FOOD", by Michael Pollan.  You can visit Michael Pollan's website to learn more.   He makes great arguments (actually, plain speaking facts) about food and you can never think about food the same way again.  He says that the health of the soil affects the health of the animals/plants which affect the food culture in which we eat which in turn affect the health of the eater (mind and body).  I believe this.  It is very different to eat an egg from a home based chicken than a caged chicken.  The taste, the look, the smell, the capacity for digestion.  It is food for thought.
 The next three of my goals come straight from his suggestions!
5.  EAT FOOD!  Don't eat anything incapable of rotting
6.  Avoid food with ingredients that are @unfamiliar, @unpronouncable @have high levels of fructose corn syrup or @have more than 5 ingredients in number.   Its a pretty good rule I think.
7.  If you do have to visit the supermarket, shop the peripheries only.  STAY OUT OF THE MIDDLE!!

8.  Change my mindset to QUALITY not QUANTITY.  I'd rather a little of a good tasting brie cheese than a whole block of cheap not-that-tasty cheese.  This mindset is beginning to permeate my whole life.  It is the Department Store versus Chain Store thinking.  Rather than buy three cheaply made t-shirts from a mass produced factory (which barely last a few months), I will save up and buy one good quality, well made shirt from a reputable, quality store.   These pieces last for years, not seasons- a much better investment for my money.   I'm glad to have finally learnt this lesson!! The same goes with food. Flour is a case in mind. Buying flour (or even better, a bag of grains you will grind yourself when you need fresh flour) from an organic bulk store with high turnover will provide you with a quality product.  Sadly, there is no way of knowing how long a bag of flour in the supermarket has been in storage or how fresh (or not) it really is.

9.  Bag a butcher.  I want to get to know my local butcher by name (and he know mine) and feel comfortable asking the 'dumb' questions. My only reason for buying supermarket meat has been for the mere fact of intimidation!  Butcher shops can be scary!!  But I'm going to put intimidation aside, and ask for help.  Hopefully, then I'll purchase smaller amounts of quality, great tasting meats that fit within my 'pure food' guidelines.

10.  Enjoy simple fresh recipes, with great tasting condiments.  More salads, simply prepared vegetables and less sauces that hide the true flavours of the things we eat. 

My family and friends reap rewards from these goals too, so its a big win for all!

What are some of your goals???