Thursday, April 2, 2009

Your Planned Life

We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
                                                              ―Joseph Campbell

I really like this. I think that there are many people out there that feel defined by what they eat, watch on TV, and do with their free time that they cannot imagine adapting to a healthy way of life by giving up these items... even when their life depends on it. Why is it that we create attachments to such trivial things?

A chocolate bar, soda, sugar, trans fat, high-fructose corn syrup, ice cream, McDonald’s, Dancing with the Stars, and American Idol will never fulfill us in the way that being healthy and active will. So, why are they so important to some of us? Frequently more important than ensuring that we stay healthy for our loved ones and ourselves.

Now, I am not saying that the occasional treat is a bad thing. I indulge in a cheat once a week. However, there are many people that have cheats every day. That is not healthy. If you have not read Tosca Reno’s Eat-Clean Diet for Family and Kids,  you should pick up a copy at the Simply Clean Bookstore. It will open your eyes to the chemicals, preservatives, and pesticides that are hiding in your fridge and pantry and degrading your health without your knowledge. You will never look at a bottle of RealLime or Ketchup the same way again.

The good news is that there is hope! Fortunately, the “health food craze” is growing in popularity. Organic and natural items are not limited to Co-Op and Whole Foods isles anymore. Consuming healthy foods is growing in popularity. However, many food companies are jumping on the bandwagon without actually changing their ways, which makes it important for you to be a savvy shopper… always, Always, ALWAYS read ingredients labels. If there is anything that you cannot pronounce, does not come directly from the ground or is not close to its natural state (in nature), DO NOT purchase the item. As a consumer, you need to use your votes (aka money) to demonstrate to food companies what we want to see on Grocery Store shelves.

As healthful, organic items increase in popularity, farms and food companies will gain economies of scale, which should decrease the price of these items.

We each have our own choices to make each day. Make sure that yours are clean!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

What's wrong with RealLime? I have read 3 of Tosca's books and I don't recall seeing something in there that said not to use bottled lemon or lime juice. I use them a lot.

Maria Peters said...

Lime Juice is fine... but if you look at the label for RealLime, it contains sodium benzoate, which when combined with Vitamin C becomes benzene, which is a carcinogen.

I wrote about this here: http://marialouisepeters.blogspot.com/2009/03/lemon-thyme-pork-tenderloin-with.html