The Power of Food

I spent some time talking on the phone with a dear friend today who is experiencing some health problems. As a former chef with extensive knowledge about nutrition, I cannot express how important a balanced diet is to maintaining one's health. So I, of course, asked my friend about her eating habits. I will say she is better at the choices she makes than most. She does not eat a ton of fast food and junk food like most of the population. But she does not eat enough nutrient rich food. She also eats a lot of white flour based breads.

This is the main reason why my friend and most of the population are feeling so run down all the time. Large quantities of food can't give you energy if they are full of fat, salt & cholesterol that make your heart and the rest of your organs work overtime to process them. By the same token, you can eat pretty healthy but if you are not enough it won't matter. Also, make the switch to whole grain it will make a huge difference in your energy level (you won't burn through the natural sugars from the white flour so fast so you'll have more energy longer) and it will help with your digestion too.

With spring getting started, this is the perfect time of year to start having fun in the produce section of your local grocer or farmer's market. There are so many energy packed foods available this time of year through the next several months.....so please take advantage of it.

You'd be amazed at the power of adding more leafy greens and other vegetables to your daily routine. They can help not only give you more energy, but even put a little more zing back into your sex life. Cut back on fried foods and fire up the grill. ITs easy to do and even helps minimize the time you spend on dishes since there are no pots & pans to clean up. Use that time instead to enjoy the outdoors, such as going on a nature walk, with someone you care about.

You'll feel better, have more energy and will find you're a lot more relaxed at the end of the day when you head for bed.

Need recipe ideas? I promise a recipe post each week. In the meantime, here is an easy way to get started:

Grab a bottle of your favorite balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Use it as a marinade on some chicken breasts, throw in some zucchini slices or asparagus spears. I suggest marinating no less than an hour. Then fire up the grill. You'll have a healthy dinner with no stress involved preparing it or cleaning up afterward.