1. Drink more water: Drinking more water helps move energy through the whole body. Drinking more water can reduce or eliminate cravings… dehydration causes cravings for sweets. Next time you crave something sweet try drinking a glass of cold water before you give in.
2. Cook your meals: Create a relationship with the food you eat! Preparing your own meals is a huge step toward healthier living. This way, you know exactly what ingedients, how much of it, and the quality of what you are eating.
3. Add whole grains to your diet: Whole grains help keep blood sugar levels balanced. People tend to stay away from carbohydrates, but the right amount of healthy whole grains can actually help you loose weight. Most of us bloat from gluten so try some Gluten-free grains: amaranth, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, quinoa, sorghum, and teff.
4. Increase sweet vegetables: Who said no sweets allowed? Try sweet veggies like corn, carrots, onions, beets, winter squash, turnips, parsnips, radishes, daikon, green cabbage, red cabbage, burdock next time you get a craving.
5. Increase green leafy vegetables: Who knew those green leafs that grow in the ground could be so healthy? They aid in blood purification, cancer prevention, improved circulation, immune strength, subtle, light, and flexible energy, lifted spirit, elimination of depression, promotion of healthy intestinal flora, improved liver, gallbladder, and kidney function, clearing of congestion...
6. Try different types of protein: Try get protein from other sources than animals: nuts, beans, soy. If animal products are part of your diet try organic meet and dairy- it’s better for you and the environment.
7. Eat less meat, dairy, sugar and chemicalized, artificial junk foods; consume less coffee, alcohol and tobacco: Challenge yourself to fight cravings! While these things make us feel good in the moment, they don’t keep us feeling good in the long run. Think about the consequences of what you put in your body- we want to nourish our body, not harm it.
8. Develop easy and reliable habits to nurture your body: You are the best thing you have- so take care of yourself...it doesn't have to be expensive and it doesn't have to be extravagant. Some ideas: at home facial with a clay mask, give yourself a pedicure, some yummy raw cacao instead of milk chocolate, one night a week shut off the cell phone and computer- light a candle- and breath!, go for a walk in nature by yourself, cook a meal for yourself…I’m sure you can think of some ideas on your own.
9. Have healthy relationships that support you: Are the relationships in your life mutually beneficial? Take some time to reflect on them, maybe certain ones need to come to an end and other ones need more attention. When the relationships in your life are healthy it makes a big difference in the quality of your living.
10. Find physical activity you enjoy and do it regularly: run, walk, go to the gym, go out dancing with friends (and skip the cocktail!), take a yoga class, hula hoop, swim, play a sport...anything that moves your body.
11. Find work you love or a way to love the work you have: We can't all have a dream career, but we do all have to work. So whatever you do find what you love about it and let that be your focus. Also know that regardless of what your job is, we are all playing a part in making this world a better place. Your attitude everyday makes a difference not only to your quality of life, but to everyone you come into contact with.
12. Ignite your Passion: Discover a new hobby, fall in love with a new pet, start a meditation practice, become reacquainted with a traditional religion, get involved in community service…Find what ignites your passion, what makes you feel uplifted and alive, something you are devoted to. Enhancing this area makes us happier because spirituality (or devotion) is a selfless act that brings numerous feel good benefits.
