It Ain’t Easy Being Healthy

         

            It ain’t easy being healthy but it is a whole lot easier then having one or more of the many diseases that are plaguing this country. Every week we hear about the rising numbers of people with cancer, heart diseases, and diabetes. This week obesity has been the main focus from every news source. And they all have their own rationalization as to why obesity is increasing at such disturbing rates. Some say it is the restaurants that are causing this with their unhealthy menu choices. Others blame the food industry, advertisers or the government, the schools and our parents. But could it really be the combination of all of these?

            It has never been that just one single thing makes us sick and not just one single thing that makes or keeps us healthy so let’s stop playing the blame game and place the responsibility back on the individual. I guess the big problem with this ides is that most individuals are not motivated to get healthy or to stay healthy. I got motivated as a teenager when doctors told me that it would not be long before I would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. Some people get motivated to quite smoking after having a child. Having a heart-attack motivates others. What will it take to get people motivated to be healthy? Maybe just taking some small steps will provide each person with opportunity to find their own motivation. It may not be easy being healthy but it is worth every bit of effort.

These are six essential areas that directly affect the quality of our health

What we eat

What we drink

How we exercise

The rest we get

The air we breathe

What we think

 What motivates you to be healthy?

Everyday Salad

          Spring is in full bloom now and weather you grow your own vegetables or buy them, the freshest salad fix-ens are now available. A salad is the best way to get a delicious variety of raw vegetables. Raw vegetables are so good for us because they come with all the enzymes that are needed for good digestion. Raw vegetables also provide much needed fiber, vitamins, and minerals (plus, they help to clean our teeth). Have fun while making a salad, see what new flavors you can add and change it around often. I have listed different vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts that I use, but don’t limit yourself—add in any healthy flavor that you can come up with. Many times it is the dressing that is the unhealthiest part of a salad so choose a dressing that enhances the flavors and nutrition of your salad. I like to squeeze a few lemon wedges over my salad.

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Greens- romaine, red or green leaf lettuce, bib lettuce, baby spinach, dandelion greens, kale, arugula, collard green, chard

Cabbage- red or green

Carrots (sliced with a vegetable peeler for a nice thin slice)

Daikons (sliced with a vegetable peeler for a nice thin slice)

Sweet peppers- red, green, orange, yellow

Hot peppers- fresh or dried

Cucumbers

Snow peas

String beans

Tomatoes- red or yellow, cherry, grape, plum

Squash- yellow, zucchini

Sprouts- alfalfa, mung, soy, radish

Avocado

Artichoke hearts

Onions- white, yellow, red

Fruit- apples, raisins, dried cranberries, dries dates

Olives- green or black

Nuts- almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pecans

Seeds- sunflower, pumpkin, ground flax, hemp

Soy beans- dried and toasted or edamame

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          Start with a base of greens, shredded cabbage, carrots or squash.  Then just build up from there with ideas from the list above and let your taste buds and eyes be your guide. Variety and change will keep you from getting tired of a daily salad plus supply you with an assortment of nutrients. Prepare the salad in a large bowl so that everyone can help themselves or in individual dishes so everyone can create their own. Serve as a side dish or as a meal.

Enjoy a salad today and everyday!