By Claire Bullivant
This is my vision: for us to live without disease, without pain and for obesity to be a thing of the past. I wish some of us had not prematurely lost our mothers, brothers, children or good friends to diseases that could have been prevented.
A wise friend of mine suggested I write this column. I make this immediate disclaimer: Although I own a store that promotes healthy eating and living, I am still in process. “In process” means I am still learning and testing and retraining myself in eating and living a healthy lifestyle. I have no medical certification and always will advise you to seek medical help as needed. What I do have is a passion for each person’s health and that we have more control over this area of our lives.
The way we live really is in our own hands, and it is my desire to inspire you to realize the gloriousness of being healthy and how food can play a major (and delectable role) in getting you there.
The American Cancer Society’s says, “Research has shown that poor diet and not being active are two key factors that can increase a person’s cancer risk.” We could probably insert diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and osteoporosis to that statement.
If your mind conjures up images of tofu burgers and overly rigorous workout sessions when I say the word “health,” you might be in for a pleasant surprise. These are just some people’s methods of reaching a state of health. Focusing on health itself is more inspiring.
Here are some words that motivate me: Vitality, energized, pain-free, able, enhanced cognitive function, joy, feeling alive, being on it, abundant, full, complete, on fire, uplifted, breathe freely.
Food is medicine or can be if you apply it correctly. Real, whole, fresh (dare I say organic) foods in the right hands are delicious. They are nature’s best way of giving your body the optimum chance to heal itself, maintain moderate weight and fight disease.
The first step in getting started is to become aware of what you are eating. Journal your food for a few weeks. You might think you are eating healthy now and once you see what you are actually eating on paper, you might be surprised at how much processed food you are eating or how few fruits or vegetables. Try it!
In my next column, I will write about natural weight loss and giving away a blend of essential oils that help the body break down fat and naturally inhibit appetite. Over the next months, I will be sharing tips on superfoods you can easily add to your meals and drinks to boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, fight diabetes, alleviate joint pain and help eliminate brain fog. I will also be sharing a few trade secrets and tips on our recipes.
Claire Bullivant is the owner of Bead & Berry Coffee House.
This column appeared in the February issue of InMaricopa News.
