A Plant Based Diet

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I often get asked how I eat.  I refrain from going into large details about my eating because I do not want others to think they have to eat just like me to be successful. I eat based on my needs and goals and it has, so far been working. I do fine tune here and there and have the periods of time I get off track just like others. 

I refer to myself as Paleo-Vegan. Which if you know either of those “diets” its a bit of a contradiction to say that.  I eat very little meat, consume ghee and collagen, but also eat a whole lot of veggies and healthy fats.  I do have an internal struggle with flesh animals and eating them. I do not enjoy preparing them. I drink bone broth but do not make it myself because the bones gross me out.  I always choose quality or local but still on occasion, think deeper about the animal and that I am eating an animal and it grosses me out.  I also enjoy honey and bee pollen which is not consumed by most vegans.  

I grew up on a farm in Indiana and my parents still raise sheep. We would eat lamb on many occasions and it was always on the table on holidays.  I knew, yet really didn’t make the connection, that the lamb I might have showed for 4-H was the lamb on my plate.  I think that is how we become de-synthesized and able to consume so much meat as a culture. We do not make the connection.  It has often been said that we can be fine killing a cow but no way we would think about eating our dog.  Why is that?   

Now I am not here to convince you to be vegan or vegetarian. But I do want to manipulate you into eating more plants, superfoods, and herbs. :)    Being plant based means that bulk of your diet are plants.   Veggies, legumes, fruits, and anything that is grown on the earth.  Do you currently fall into this category?    

I will often say I could be Vegan and eat potato chips with every meal. I would not be eating  animal products.  Would that be healthy? No way!   Now, a plant based vegan says a lot. It is saying you are getting tons of plants, vitamins and minerals (hopefully).  

There is always an exception based on goals and health concerns.  Those are things I evaluate when guiding a client on their eating style.  Our eating might evolve as our health does.   Bottom line, you will not get “sicker” eating plants.  

Are you a plant based eater?  

Eating for a Purpose

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We all know we eat to live.  Clearly it is what you have to do to function.  Our bodies are so amazing. Stop and think about how much it takes and still keeps going.  Stress, poor eating with almost no actual nutrition, lack of sleep, minimal exercise. Now, I know that is not the case with my readers, because you all are amazing.  I am sure you have a co worker or a friend who is the above.  ;) 

In all honestly though, our human body is so powerful it goes years and years not getting what it needs before it shows us signs that things have to change.  Partly from our lack of knowledge about real positive food, but also because we allow everything else to take priority other than ourselves.  

This is where eating for a purpose comes in.   It is as simple as saying this to yourself when you eat, "What purpose does this food right now serve me"  Simple right, before it is in your mouth think, is this positive food full of nutrients that my body will use, or is this pure pleasure (protein, carbs, fat, sugar).  The beauty comes when you can say this is both pleasurable and nutrient dense.   Trust me, you will get there. I live it daily.

You know about protein, carbs, and fat. We get those in large quantities daily. They are called our macro nutrients.  When you join a gym, or weight loss program, those are what they restrict for you.   High protein, lower carbs, low fat.   It is typically what you will go back to when the weight comes back on.    BUT, what about the other side of the equation?  MICRO nutrients are your best friend.  Get in bed with those babies, cause that is your key.  Look back on your daily meals, how many of your meals were full of vitamins and minerals, not just protein carbs and fat? As you prep and plan so you eat well, how much of your planning is around micro nutrients and not just the macro.    Are you eating for a positive purpose? 

1. Start with evaluation. Don't track food for calories, track food for nutrition.  

2. Review how many vitamins and minerals you are getting in your daily meals.  How many leafy greens, how many of the things you are eating actually can give your body the fuel it needs to thrive and also heal. 

3. Once you review how can you add more in, not in supplement form but in real food form.  Leafy greens, spirulina, chorella, quality fats like avocado and coconut oil.  

You will still have pleasurable foods that fall into the "minimal nutrients" category but they should not be the bulk of your eating.  They are the times you go to a party or celebrate a holiday.  Pleasurable foods with a positive memory attached.  

I left below some of my ways I get micros in when I am not able to sit down and have a meal.   I hope these help those of you on the go like me.  

A few of my favorite things

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I am on the go a lot. I have my business, raise and school my babies and also practice regular self care. I like food that is functional and also satisfies me.

What do I mean by functional?  Food that does more than provide just protein carbs and fat, but also gives my body nutrients, superfoods and herbs.  I also like to know that if I pop in anywhere almost, when I forgot to plan, I have an option.  

So lets get started,

1. Addictive Wellness Chocolate:  I met Sage and Ana Blanca at the Longevity Conference put on each year by David Wolfe.  They created a sugar free chocolate with amazing herbs and superfoods. One circle chocolate is potent enough to give you a dose of what you need based on the chocolate you are eating.  There is love and magic in these chocolates, I know :) 

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2. Cultured Veggies & Sauerkraut: I love taking some Brads Raw Chips and some ferments and having my lunch or snack with them together. Fermented Veggies are wonderful for your digestion and are a great probiotic source. Now I will mention they do have an off setting odor to many, but the taste and benefits are so amazing, I don't worry about the odor. 

This is a local company I just found in our Whole Foods.  I really really enjoy Harvest Roots Ferments. 

3. Kind Bars:  There is really no bar that is perfect. If they are raw they have dates and tons of sugar. If they aren't they still have tons of sugar.   Kind bars aren't perfect but they are almost everywhere.  I would rather sub the sugar for fat, and I am able to do that with there low sugar options.   Next time you have to stop while traveling and get a snack, look for Kind, there is a likelihood you will find it. 

4. Spring Water in glass: If you follow me on social media you will know weekly the kids and I go to a local spring by our house.  We add water to our yeti's and also to a 5 gallon jug. We exclusively drink it and love it.  If I am out of my morning fill up and I am in whole foods I usually grab Starkey's. If you have not drank fresh spring water, there is nothing like it. 

 I hope you can pick up or order one of the above to make your life easier and have a pleasurable sweet treat.  

You have anything you want me to try?  

Ep:9 with iRussi (Julia Ross), discussing Celiac

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In my experience many if not everyone should get off gluten if not just for a short time. Wheat has changed over the years, crappy gluten protein is used as fillers in so many things and it has become an allergy for many.   I do not advocate if you are going gluten free to use tons of gluten free boxed goods. Stick with real food and if desire gluten free grains.  

Julia is someone I have known for a long time now and has had to navigate a busy, on the go life with a gluten allergy that is life threatening.   Celiac disease.  Cross contamination can lead to an instant headache. Having gluten in a sauce will make her sick.   We talk about this and her discovery of it in Ep 9. Thank you so much Julia, you are a bright light for sure! 

Ep.7 Sheila Wysocki interview

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So grateful for this life Im living.  I get to meet amazing people and learn and grow from them. I have known Sheila for over 5 years. She is very dear to me, and agreed to be my first interview.  She has mega cred and is helping many lives.  Sheila is a private investigator and helps families who have lost hope when their case goes cold.  Shes tough, loving, a mother, and a major hustler.  Enjoy this interview and my authentic and candid talk with her :).

Find out more about Sheila here:  

Dateline Episode

Website:   ,  Washington Post Article

Peoples Magazine