#KeepItSimpleSept

The day after labor day marks a new beginning in many ways.  It is the unofficial end of summer, it is the start (or very close to) of a new month, kids are back in school and it is time to get back to the routines & schedules that were derailed with all the summer activities and festivities.  Although many are sad to see summer and all it has to bring end, most of us welcome the structure and routine that comes with fall.

In fact, today has been called the 2^nd New Year as many people have a brand new set of “resolutions” or changes they are ready to make.  For many these are health-related. 

Over the years I have heard many people say they want to feel better, gain more energy and overcome health challenges, but sadly most never achieve that goal.  Why?  They are always looking for the “perfect” solution or method.  They are constantly chasing the next “big thing” – one day they are paleo, then keto then vegan – they chase after every new thing that comes along.  They are “consuming” too much information and never DOING the work!  Overconsumption of ANYTHING brings overwhelm which breeds inaction.

Unfortunately, the health and wellness field is full of conflicting information and advice especially in the area of food and nutrition.  It gets overwhelming very quickly.  So, what do you do?  Keep it simple!  If you breakdown any truly healthy diet or protocol into its core you arrive at the SAME conclusion:  Eat Real Foods, lots of plants (for fiber), choose healthy proteins & fats and minimize your intake of processed foods (especially sugars and carbohydrates). 

If it is that simple, why do we struggle so much?  The misconception with simple is that it is also easy.  Simple describes something that is plain, basic and uncomplicated.  Easy, on the other hand, suggests achievement without great effort or without difficulty.  Anytime you do something new or different, it will require some effort and some degree of difficulty.  As you gain experience and practice that behavior is will take less effort and become less difficult – it becomes easy. Easy is the result of the effort and time you put into something.  At first, following a healthy diet and cooking foods from scratch will not be easy, but by keeping it simple, learning the skills you need and practicing healthy behaviors you can get to easy.   

I invite you to follow along with me and Keep It Simple this September (#KeepItSimpleSept).  Instead of focusing on specific diet plans, macro counting or eliminating certain foods, focus on making food choices based on nutritional content and overall benefit to your body and cells.  Throughout the month, I will be giving you action steps, tips and recipes for food that is Simple, Real and Delicious! You can achieve better health thru better food choices.

I will be posting content on my blog and on Facebook & Instagram so make sure you like and follow me on those platforms!

Now to your first action!  You can not change if you do not have a starting point.  Start recording EVERYTHING you eat or drink.  Next to each item place a +, – or N.  (+ if the item is health promoting, – if it is disease promoting or N if it is neutral.  As an example:  a serving of plain 2% yogurt is neutral, the same yogurt that comes laced with fruit and flavorings is a – and that same plain yogurt topped with ground flax and fresh berries is a +.  Don’t censure or judge your list.  Just record and mark with +, – or N. Awareness of what you are eating is key!

Until next time!

Mrs. Dornberg