"Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace."
-Albert Schweitzer
People often ask about my eating habits, as they are unique in comparison to most. Luckily, I am passionate about nutrition and willing to express my passion to whoever wishes to hear me out. Here you will find my opinions on food, tips for eating a balanced diet, and some ideas for a plant-based lifestyle!
A 4-letter Word That Starts With "F"...FOOD!
I love it. Simply put, I believe food is an experience, and I will always spend my last pennies on a new dining experience. So much so, I considered applying to a culinary school before choosing a traditional university. This love is real and I think food should be passionate, tell a story, and represent either the person making it or the person eating it. Food represents a culture, transporting one to unique locations around the globe. You can prepare one item of food one hundred different ways, and that fascinates me. My biggest passion lies in nourishing my body with a variety of foods, satisfying both my taste and my soul. The food I consume is from the earth - I am powered by plants.
Our minds and bodies need sustenance to grow, and we as a society need to stop viewing "calories" as the enemy. Once you start regarding food as FUEL, you will completely change your outlook on eating. A calorie, defined, is a unit of energy. Every person has a unique number of calories his or her body needs to perform its basic functions; an active person needs much more substance than even this. If you do not meet the minimum requirement of calories for your personal body, your system will go into starvation mode, feeding off your muscles and slowing your metabolism. Here is a point I would like to stress: I do not count calories, nor should you.
Counting calories, unless advised by a medical professional, can become dangerous and consuming. My diet is one with ZERO caloric limitations!! I have become so in-tune to what my body needs, that I am now able to distinguish between the different types of hunger. These include, but are not limited to - boredom, guilt, stress, anger, sadness, extreme joy, and even excessive overeating when in the company of certain people. Understanding when your body is actually hungry is key.
IMPORTANT! Don't forget to hydrate. Most people do not get enough water! According to H.H. Mitchell, in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery at 31%. 8 cups of water a day is generally NOT enough.
WHAT TO MAKE OF ALL THIS?!
Listen. To. Your. Body. Become aware of every signal it is giving you. The body is an amazing thing; have you ever noticed how it is constantly trying to keep us alive?! Your body clots its own blood to prevent bleeding out, constantly fights infection to keep your system balanced, and will reject anything negative you consume or overindulge in! The body is an amazing creation. You have ONE body and ONE life to cherish it. When you begin treating your body right, it will thank you. Your skin will clear, you will have more energy, you will be more "regular," have less bloating, and feel completely revitalized! It's amazing how instantaneous these changes happen. Do something kind for your body, and fill it with balanced, honest foods it can easily digest and put to use. Then, with all that newfound energy, make something of your life! Go outside, bike instead of drive, be lazy on the beach rather than a couch...indulge in everything nature gives us for free. It's a big world. Taste it, see it, smell it, touch it, play in it, fall on it, splash through it, and live for it.
I love it. Simply put, I believe food is an experience, and I will always spend my last pennies on a new dining experience. So much so, I considered applying to a culinary school before choosing a traditional university. This love is real and I think food should be passionate, tell a story, and represent either the person making it or the person eating it. Food represents a culture, transporting one to unique locations around the globe. You can prepare one item of food one hundred different ways, and that fascinates me. My biggest passion lies in nourishing my body with a variety of foods, satisfying both my taste and my soul. The food I consume is from the earth - I am powered by plants.
Our minds and bodies need sustenance to grow, and we as a society need to stop viewing "calories" as the enemy. Once you start regarding food as FUEL, you will completely change your outlook on eating. A calorie, defined, is a unit of energy. Every person has a unique number of calories his or her body needs to perform its basic functions; an active person needs much more substance than even this. If you do not meet the minimum requirement of calories for your personal body, your system will go into starvation mode, feeding off your muscles and slowing your metabolism. Here is a point I would like to stress: I do not count calories, nor should you.
Counting calories, unless advised by a medical professional, can become dangerous and consuming. My diet is one with ZERO caloric limitations!! I have become so in-tune to what my body needs, that I am now able to distinguish between the different types of hunger. These include, but are not limited to - boredom, guilt, stress, anger, sadness, extreme joy, and even excessive overeating when in the company of certain people. Understanding when your body is actually hungry is key.
IMPORTANT! Don't forget to hydrate. Most people do not get enough water! According to H.H. Mitchell, in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery at 31%. 8 cups of water a day is generally NOT enough.
WHAT TO MAKE OF ALL THIS?!
Listen. To. Your. Body. Become aware of every signal it is giving you. The body is an amazing thing; have you ever noticed how it is constantly trying to keep us alive?! Your body clots its own blood to prevent bleeding out, constantly fights infection to keep your system balanced, and will reject anything negative you consume or overindulge in! The body is an amazing creation. You have ONE body and ONE life to cherish it. When you begin treating your body right, it will thank you. Your skin will clear, you will have more energy, you will be more "regular," have less bloating, and feel completely revitalized! It's amazing how instantaneous these changes happen. Do something kind for your body, and fill it with balanced, honest foods it can easily digest and put to use. Then, with all that newfound energy, make something of your life! Go outside, bike instead of drive, be lazy on the beach rather than a couch...indulge in everything nature gives us for free. It's a big world. Taste it, see it, smell it, touch it, play in it, fall on it, splash through it, and live for it.
Plant-based THRIVING
In September of 2013, I watched a video that changed my life. See the video here.
(Warning: graphic content)
This video altered a major part of my self, my views on the food industry, and the way I eat. For over two years, I was a Pescetarian - eating dairy, eggs, and fish, while excluding all other types of meat. For six months I have made the transition to entirely plant-based foods and have never felt more vibrant. The more I researched the impact of the animal agriculture industries, the less I wanted to be any part of that impact.
While I am passionate about this stance, I respect the individuality of everyone and will never force my lifestyle upon another person; however, if one should ask me about the way I nourish my body, I will express the passion within me. I will educate all of those who choose to listen, and I will preach the plant-based message to anyone looking to get the most out of life. The majority of my friends along with everyone in my family consumes meat and animal byproducts, so I will not discriminate. I do believe, though, that a plant-based lifestyle is the most compassionate, the healthiest, and the most sustainable lifestyle humans can choose. Think about your impact on this earth - is it positive or negative? Adjust accordingly.
**If you are interested in learning more about the hidden realities of the meat industries, some of my personal favorite films include Food Inc., Cowspiracy and Forks Over Knives - all on Netflix**
All advice, strategies, and opinions on this page are of my own, and are what I have personally gained through experience and research. I have cited all sources used when appropriate, and understand these views do not reflect those of society as a whole. If you have any concerns about your physical well-being, consult a medical professional for further assistance. Melanie Bower (2016)