There seems to be a large misconception about healthy eating.

I hosted a party last night for my sister’s birthday.  My whole family came over for dinner followed by cake and coffee.  We ended up sitting around chatting for hours into the night.   Toward the end of the night, the conversation turned to “healthy eating” and the consensus seemed to be:

1. Too hard
2. Too expensive
3. Too time-consuming

I sat back and took it all in.  I chose not to say anything, at that point, as I wanted to really think about what everyone had to say and defend “healthy eating” with a thought out response.

I know from experience, convincing people, healthy eating is not only achievable but can be cost efficient and straightforward (once you figure out the basics!) is not an easy task.

I love healthy eating and find that I’m very passionate about food, natural living and attaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle.  I would love to help everyone struggling with achieving their personal healthy living goals.  The one thing….super important…if not the most important factor….you truly and deeply have to want to change and be willing to push yourself beyond your comfort boundaries.

Once committed to a new way of thinking and a new life style of healthy eating, there are a few basic steps that can go along way in achieving a new lease of life!

The rules that I live by:

1. Cook with fresh, natural whole foods (veggies, fruits, beans, legumes, complex carbs, learn cuts of meat)
2. Avoid items at the grocery store with ingredient lists over 5 items (give or take), or mystery ingredients.  Pretty much just avoid all processed foods which contain all the yuck!
3. Avoid low-fat or light items and go for the natural full fat version and consume in moderation
4. Consume recommended amounts of healthy fat.
5. Try to occasionally limit allergen foods such as dairy, soy, corn and wheat to give your body a break (mini detox!)
6. Indulge a little

I truly believe in “indulging a little”  (think square of dark chocolate and red wine!) while keeping moderating in mind!  So many people decide to go cold turkey on the most strict diet, limiting all fats (including healthy, necessary fats!), removing all carbs (including complex), and cutting the amount they eat in half! That sounds horrible to me and is unsustainable in the long run.

If you follow the steps above, focusing on fresh, natural whole foods, you can throw traditional dieting in the garbage, along with all the misconceptions that go along with healthy eating. You can even save some cash! Skip the frozen, pre-made boxed items in the grocery store that are nutritionally void and can be $$$!

Instead, say Yes to a new life style filled will an abundance of fresh, natural foods that you can eat without any guilt.   Benefit from the nutritional boost too!

Next time I have the chance to talk to my family members one on one, I plan on going over my ideas of healthy eating, and, if they are ready, maybe they too, will make the change!

Until next time,

Simply Hollie

P.s  I know how hard the process can seem, especially when dealing with food sensitivities.  I’m always here to answer any questions or offer more advice.  I have been through the process and, I promise, it can be done and it’s worth the effort 🙂