Embrace Your Destiny: Eat to Live or Live to Eat?

I didn't realize how much my diet contributed to how good or how bad I could feel. I should have known! You don't know what you don't know. I was good at dismissing low energy, fatigue and joint stiffness. I thought I felt  good or okay because feeling just okay was my new normal. Then, suddenly I started feeling really good! My energy was fantastic, and joint pain was at a minimum. I had forgotten how good "good" could feel. This premise of "you don't know what you don't know" was fundamental to analyzing the findings of my research for my dissertation. I found it to be fundamentally true then and whenever I taught or embarked on a new learning project. 


My journey into better diet began once again from experience in hot yoga. We practiced in Brevard at Brevard Bikram Hot Yoga with Vivian Smith. Her partner Jill Hayne, was making juice and promoted the benefits of juicing from our beginning time there. She often brought samples to the studio. I found I really liked her hot juices. Jill was the "go to" person for help with juicing. At some point about two years ago, maybe during that first 30 day challenge, I also did a week of juicing to see if it made a difference to boost my system. That did it! I was hooked on juice! I felt an increase in energy, less fatigue at the end of the day, and fewer aches and pains. That was a huge benefit for me. But, big problem! I didn't want to make the juice myself. The solution was right there: Katie Flanagan and Green Heart Juice. I've been a regular customer of Katie's ever since. 

Katie has been a wonderful resource. She makes juices specific to reducing inflammation, renewing muscle after strength training, and increasing immunity. There are other functions of her juices, but those are the main things I need. I drink a 16 ounce juice everyday, usually at noon. I learned that Katie's juices can be frozen when she informed all her customers that she would not be making juice during a holiday. Now, I keep a supply in the freezer for emergencies and to carry me over when she has to be gone. In fact, now I have a standing dollar amount order per week. She gives me what she knows I like, plus any new items she is featuring. Katie has regular offerings and seasonal specialties. 

Last year I discovered The Wahl Protocol by Dr. Terry Wahl. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2000 with a progressive form of the disease. She was in a wheelchair that tilted because she had lost so much back and abdomen strength she could not hold herself erect. That was when she embarked on a mission to supplement her treatment with a diet that is Palleo based. In her regimen, gluten is out and vegetables are in. She recommends 16 servings of vegetables everyday. That's a huge order unless consumption includes juicing. The protocol specifies what to or not to eat and specifies how much. Some vegetables are better than others and some are not recommended at all. Sadly, white potatoes are one of the vegetables not recommended. Bottom line, for Dr. Wahl, the diet enabled her to vastly improve and walk again. I recommend her book and diet. 

I can tell a big difference when I closely monitor and manage my food intake. During these times, I feel really good, I have great energy, and I have little or no aches and pains. The interesting thing is that I enjoy my juice program and miss it when we have to eat differently such as on vacation.

Juicing makes a mess in the kitchen and requires a good supply of organic vegetables. That is why I support Katie's booming business. She also makes bone broth but that I can make and do. That part of the diet is another posting, so tune in. I'll share my recipe.

Hot Honey, Beet and Kale with Jalapeño, ginger and  turmeric

Freezer supply