taking back my health

Your body is your temple. 

The greatest wealth is health. 

You know how it goes...

So why is it that so many of us, (especially we Americans) ignore this and all too often overindulge ourselves? We eat to celebrate, we eat when we're stressed, we eat when we're sad. We don't get enough exercise. We don't get enough sleep. We try to cram 40 hours into a 24 hour day. We overwork and we underplay. 

Then we get sick. 

Or we get stressed. Or run down. 

We get tired. 

We get broken. 

We ignore what our bodies are trying to tell us. 

Slow down. Recharge. Nourish. Move me. 

Balance me. 

But we push on, trying to get one more thing done. Ignoring the signs. Carrying on.

And I am sooooo guilty of this. 

And I am already paying the repercussions and I don't like that. Now more than ever I realize that I cannot take my health for granted. Which is why I am taking back my health. 

That's right, body...did you hear me?

I AM TAKING BACK MY HEALTH.

Now, I am not really an "unhealthy" person. I choose lots of fruits and vegetables. I don't eat meat. I do yoga when I can. I run when I can. I dance while I clean the house ;-) I just feel like I can be doing more. More exercise, more whole foods.

So, I am taking back my health.

Not only for now, but for 5 years, 10 years, 50+ years from now. 

I want to be healthy for all those I love. I want to raise a healthy family someday. I want to be around, and be energetic and feel my best. I want to be healthy because this is the body that God gave me and I should be taking care of it. How can I do what I was put on this earth to do if I am too tired to do it? I want to be healthy for me, because when I am making good choices and feeling balanced, I feel my best. 

And I like feeling my best. 

All this sounds good, right? So what am I going to do?

Well, for starters I am going to really evaluate my diet. I eat pretty well now, but I am going to focus more on making sure that at least 80% of the foods I eat are organic and clean foods, and that my meals are well balanced. I am going to schedule more exercise in, no matter how difficult that may be.

And I am not going to just talk about it. I am going to do it. 

Because I cannot afford not to.

Now, this doesn't mean that I am never going to eat a french fry or a s'mores sundae again, just make better choices when I do...like choosing hand cut, unprocessed fries or homemade ice cream. I don't think this will be too difficult as I do not eat much of that stuff now.  But again, I feel like I can be doing more.
Like eating at the dining room table with the tv off a couple more nights a week. We try to do this at least once a week, but I am thinking we should bump up our goal. 

I'm going to take advantage of all the great resources out there as well, including this book and the blogs below.

fresh 365

greens and berries

limes and lycopene

101 cookbooks

rachel eats

tea and cookies

bankrupt vegan 

nourish me 

And I am just going to remind myself that being healthy is a choice. And a good one. The most important one, in fact. 

See ya, sluggishness. Optimum health, here I come!

Hmm, perhaps I need a new apron for my new cooking adventures? ;-) 

And so I leave you with this thought...
'If you want to do your best for future generations of humanity, for your friends and family, you must begin by taking good care of yourself.' ~ Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche

If you know of any healthy living books, blogs or websites that you would recommend, please pass them along!  I'd love to hear what you all do to keep up your health and feel your best.