Are You Getting Real Nutrition? (WF)

Think about this question - What is the definition of a food?
According to the dictionary - a food is defined as something that builds, strengthens, provides nourishment, health

Why do you think food was created? To fill the tummy or nourish the body?
If you think about it, food is usually only in the mouth only 3-10 seconds (though it should be up to 20 seconds), but in the body for approximately 24 hours (or months if it goes all the way to the cellular level)! So do you choose foods to please the wants of the taste buds or to please the needs of the body?

A while back, my grandson came to eat lunch with me. I cut up a few carrot sticks on his plate and he exclaimed that he didn't want those and didn't like them. So I said to him, "I think you are telling me that your tongue doesn't like those, but did you know that your arms and legs love carrots because they make you stronger and run faster?" He thought about it a few seconds, then got up and ate them all! What can you learn from this?

Do you eat to fill the needs of your body?
Foods are meant to be full of vitamins and minerals that provide the nourishment for our bodies to function properly. On the other hand, taste bud pleasers are full of added fats, sugars, & calories, and are low in nutrients - this is specifically why we are overwei/ght as well as experiencing many unnecessary health disorders. Take a look at this comparison below:

COMMON FOODS VS. WHOLE FOODS

Common Foods
· processed foods
· ready-made prepared foods
· fast foods

High in Carbohydrates: refined sugars, refined flours
High in Salt
High in Fats
High in Animal Proteins
Low in Fiber
Low in Enzymes (for digestion & cell building)
Low in Vitamins & Minerals

* These foods are: taste bud pleasers, cloggers, polluters, de-energizers, void of nutrition, creating sickness and obesity!

Whole Foods
· fresh fruits & vegetables
· whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, & sprouts
· limited animal foods

High in Fiber
High in Vitamins & Minerals
High in Enzymes (for digestion & cell building)
Balanced Carbohydrates (using grains & legumes whole, cooked or sprouted)
Balanced Proteins
Low in Fats

* These foods are whole body pleasers, cleansers, energizers, healers, full of nutrition, creating wellness and wei/ght balance!

So here it is in a plain and simple form. If you were to omit the common foods from your diet and focus on the whole foods - there basically wouldn't be an overwei/ght problem! It's just that simple! Focus on your body's needs and get rid of the taste bud wants!

Tip: One flaw most people make in today's world is too many carbs/starches. So focus on lean proteins (beans, tofu, lean wild fish, etc.) and vegetables, and limit the carbs!

Here's another great recipe from the Healthy Leaner Lifestyle series! See Creatively Complete Dinners at http://erleentilton.com/store.htm

BLACK BEANS OVER RICE

1 C. brown rice
3 C. cooked black beans (with liquid)
2 tsp. hot red pepper sauce
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. salt (less if beans are salted)
2 avocados, diced
2 red bell peppers, diced
1-2 large ears corn, cut off cob
4 green onions, chopped
Chopped red or green leaf lettuce
½-1 C. fresh chopped cilantro

* To cook rice: in medium saucepan, bring 3 cups water to boiling and add rice. Turn heat down to a light simmer, don't stir, simmer uncovered 30-35 minutes, turn off heat and place on lid until ready to serve
* Meanwhile, in medium saucepan, combine beans with red pepper sauce, cumin, and salt; heat until hot
* Prepare raw vegetables as suggested and place in separate bowls
* To serve, mound rice on individual plates, spoon on black bean mixture, and top with generous portions of vegetables as desired
* Serve with more hot red pepper sauce on top, if desired.

Start the New Year out right with a cookbook of wonderful healthy recipes - full of nutrition not calories! Here's the link to get your copy of the Creatively Complete Dinners: http://erleentilton.com/store.htm

Have a great week choosing Whole Foods (WF)!
Remember Whole Foods, Pure Water, Daily Exercise (WF, PW, DE)!

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton