When I say “bags” what comes to your mind?
There are Grocery “bags”.
Hand “bags”.
Travel “bags”. And, God forbid, there are “bags” under the eyes.
There are “baggy” pants, success in the “bag” and she ordered a “bag” of fries.
Some of you know that I am a bit of a health nut. With that as a small introductory background, you might guess that I would rather eat healthy rather than take a drug to overcome some condition that needs to be addressed.
Most health conditions are rooted in some form of internal imbalance that stems from a degree of inflammation. Things like arthritis, infections, immune based disorders such as cancer, allergies and even psoriasis and other skin conditions stem from inflammation. Senile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is immune based. Cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries and stroke all have an important immune component.
One of the most powerful aspects of a plant-based diet is the ability of fruits and vegetables to limit the amount of inflammation that the body experiences. Plants have the ability to reverse hardening of the arteries, reduce cholesterol and provide the best nutrients and protein necessary for the body to restore its self as it cycles through the replacement of ALL tissues over time. The rebuilding of the body is happening every day on some cells in a cyclical replacement and restoration process.
The question then becomes, do you want those new cells to be rebuilt with the nutrients from crackers and potato chips or walnuts and celery. You are specifically exactly what you eat. When you sit down to a meal, what you are consuming will become the “new you” in some way shape or form. You get to choose.
Nature makes no mistakes. The best building blocks of your body are essentially found in nature and as close to the source as possible. The more the processing, refining and preserving the farther from the source and farther from maximal nutritional benefits the food. Seek ways to limit the generations of food processing from the source
Two important preserving ingredients are sugar and salt. Before we had “better chemistry for a better life”, it was not uncommon to preserve meats with salt or salts of chemicals that made it impossible for bacterial organisms to spoil food. Those living organisms that spoil food are not that much different than your body’s own cells. A doctor friend of mine once mentioned that he did not like to eat anything that was “spoiled” or anything that would not spoil. If something has not spoiled for over a reasonable period of time, chances are it is too over preserved to be healthy for you to eat.
Both sugar and salt interfere with the turnover and rebuilding of new healthy cells. I like to think of them as “birth control” for biologic organisms such as bacteria, yeast, and viruses. A little sugar may enhance their growth, however LOTS of sugar, such as the amount of sugar used to make jellies and jams is astronomical. Those high concentrations of sugar are preserving the fruit from spoiling by interfering with the regeneration of any bacteria that happen to be present from surviving.
Here are some suggestions for natural and nutritional substitutions in order to take advantage of the tastes and textures all of us enjoy.
Instead of:
Crackers and chips
Mayonnaise
Donuts and cakes
Ice cream
Chocolate candy bar
Sandwich bread
Antacids
Try:
Celery, nuts, sweet peas
Creamy avocado
Avocado, peaches, nectarines
Berries, apples, nuts, grapes
Romaine lettuce wrap
Pineapple to promote digestion
Brain health is also affected by the strength of your immune system. Foods that boost brain health, and strengthen immunity, promote clear thinking and alertness are given by the acrostic B. B. B. A. G. S. or “Bags” for short.
- Broccoli – and other cruciferous vegetables-calcium, fiber
- Beans – and other legumes-protein, fiber
- Berries – and small colorful fruits-carotinoids or anti-inflammatory agents and immune boosters
- Avocado – the healthy fat and creamy fruit-energy storehouse
- Garlic – and green onions, shallots, for zesty taste-immune boosters and lower blood pressure.
- Seeds – and nuts that are loaded with nutritious protein and brain food, omega-3s
You can choose to change your eating habits and change your health. You can regain youthful vitality, peace of mind and enjoy quality sleep. It is a network approach.
Small adjustments can be made over time to rebuild and restore your body to how it was meant to operate well into your ongoing years.
My mother at 96 is a living example of this.
Share your insights and how you might use this information to your advantage.
I welcome your perspective, experience and challenges to your health that most certainly can be overcome. You deserve to experience the youngest years ahead of you!
Keep the snacks in the picture below readily available for munching.
