10 Non-Negotiable Health Choices
When I first started caring more about my health, I’m pretty sure I was 17 years old. I was visiting a friend in Atlanta and her mom made homemade Gaspacho on a hot, summer day. I had never had anything like it and remember the feeling of the air conditioning blasting, the hot sun blazing outside, and the cold, hearty soup being so refreshing.
My friend was a vegetarian – my first one who was – and I remember thinking that I should become one too.
So, off I went back home to Charlotte and announced that I was a vegetarian and that I would no longer be eating meat, poultry or fish. I’m sure that my Mom was rolling her eyes on the inside, but on the outside, in her own beautiful way, she supported me.
This was the beginning of making trips to co-ops to try new things like polenta or soy. I remember this is when I made my first taboule and tried lentils for the first time. Everything was so clean, delicious, and soul-filling.
This lasted for about six months until I was so hungry on an outing with friends that I had a McDonald’s cheeseburger.
Now that was not the best way to re-enter the world of meat, but it was certainly a re-entry.
Over the past three decades, I’ve tried a number of different ways of eating, but it has only been in the last five that I think I’ve found my sweet spot. I am not a vegetarian and have fond memories of both vegan and pescatarian chapters in my life.
Now, I’m a whole foodian.
My body requires a variety of whole and healthy vegetables, fruits, minimal red meat and pork, modest amounts of poultry and I can’t get enough of fish – and wish I cooked it more.
Also, as I’m growing into mid-age and getting to know my body and self-care best, I’m making way better decisions than I did when I was younger. It’s also about pills and skills. I know my body and I know it well. It’s not just nutrition and food choices. It’s about knowing the skills to be my best and knowing when it’s time to add support. Knowing my moods, needs for movement, recognizing tightness and aches in my muscles and knowing the best workout for me - these are daily assessments to determine the best path to take.
#TruthNugget: It’s knowing when “No” is the best answer I can offer, because it means I’m taking good care of myself by saying “YES!” to the right things – whether they are for my mental, physical, emotional or spiritual health.
Whole health isn’t all about perfect weight, exterior appearances, or what others think. Whole health is getting to know your body - all of the good and challenging aspects of it and being willing to address them.
This is why you’ll find that these are 10 of my nonegotiable staple choices that I deeply try to sustain:
1. Getting enough deep and refreshing sleep. Every chance I get I try to get whole, restful sleep and I truly struggle when I don’t.
2. Asking for help. I finally know when to ask for help instead of thinking I can do it all on my own, because I cannot, and honestly don’t want to anymore. It’s too exhausting. God put us together for a reason.
3. Drinking water. I’m a complete wreck when I don’t hydrate and usually don’t notice until it’s too late. Drinking up is a lifelong opportunity for me and I know the benefits are a necessity.
4. Supplements are a real energy source and a necessary reserve. Whether it’s the NingXia Red wolfberry supplement I drink twice daily, my Vitamins B, C, D and immunity supplements – the days I take them are WAY BETTER than the days I don’t. Energy is completely dependent upon this decision. This is one of the many reasons why I’m grateful to be a distributor for Young Living, because it allows me share additional ways to support our overall health and wellness. I believe in their products and how they support our entire health to live our best lives.
5. Daily movement is a non-negotiable necessity for me. Workouts don’t have to be long. In truth, I push, but not enough to exhaust my system. I do find that I have to have 20-30 minutes of intense daily exercise at least 5 days a week with two more days that are more relaxed or to do restorative yoga to recover. When I overdo it, I’m completely depleted. When I underdo it, my body is so frustrated with me. I’m grateful for my Peloton.
6. Let it go. (Yes - you can sing Frozen. I approve.) I’ve learned to seriously let s&*t go. People don’t change unless they want to. We don’t change unless we want to. It’s up to us to take control of our own bodies and lives and let the rest go. This also leads to plenty of prayer, meditation and hope, but in the end, it’s all about how we show up and shift in support of our families, friends and communities.
7. Choose love. Love is a decision wrapped up with plenty of emotions and feelings. Loving others exactly where they are, even if they are absolutely awful, is something I’m striving for all the time. I realize that everyone struggles and I have deep compassion for that, but sometimes I get frustrated where I wish I didn’t. Choosing to love the problem or challenge makes it easier.
8. Everything can be solved in its own way and time. I really believe that when we hope, don’t give up, and keep trying, it always comes together.
9. God’s timing is always perfect timing and trusting in that. When I do #6 and let things go, it’s because I know that God has better plans for me even if I don’t personally like the timing, burden or lack of what I want (ha, we are so innately self-centered as humans!).
10. All things are possible with faith. Yes. They are. Nothing is possible without the deep inner knowing of a loving God that only wants the best for me and others. That depth and belief is my driving mechanism. It’s why all I want to do is help people to be whole from the inside out. To feel what positive health, wellness, and wellbeing can be like. To know that we were designed to be whole and healthy and when we are – we bless not only the life that God has given us, but the lives of others.