Week 2: Turning Green

Diets. Fuck that shit. Nope. No more. No more counting calories and fat or points or carbs.  I've done it all and it blows and it doesn't work for me.  

"They” can’t seem to make up their minds about what’s ok to eat and what’s not.  “They” say low calorie good, fat bad.  Except for real fat.  You need real fat like olive oil, but don't have olive oils it's loaded with calories.  And don’t eat bread, but you need some carbs like oatmeal but make sure it’s steel cut oats, cause that Quaker guy is a shady fuck.  Eat Meat, don't eat meat. Eat fish but beware mercury”

“They” are assholes.

Part of the “they” are the companies who create diet foods and diet programs, which is a billion dollar a year industry, making money off bad food pretending to be good. It’s so easy to get confused and frustrated all while trying to ignore that little voice in your head that says umm chocolate cake.

The one thing professionals, who are not out to make a buck, agree on is fruits and vegetables. We need them. A lot of them. Everyone agrees.

Here’s what I’m gonna do. I currently eat about one serving of fruit or veggies every other day. Don’t judge.   Starting this week, I’m going to eat 1 serving of fruit or veggies every day. Each week I will add another serving…two-a-day, three-a-day, etc, until I’m eating at least 3 fruit and 5 vegetable servings a day. Or I turn green, which ever happens first. That’s all I’m gonna focus on right now. No other restrictions – for now.

You can do this too but don’t be stupid.  If your doctor has you on a specific diet for diabetes, cholesterol or whatever ails you – do what your doctor says.  Doctor trumps blogger every time.

Figure out what your normal fruit and vegetable intake is, maybe you already eat a few servings a day. Level out your current rate to a daily average that is your baseline.  Make sure you start at least with one a day like me.  At the end of future Evolution lessons, I will remind us to increase our daily intake.

Let’s go to our boards and pin the fruits and vegetables we like. Pin recipes that sound yummy. Pin pictures that appeal and draw you in.  We are not going to force ourselves to eat fruits or veggies we don’t like the taste of.  Start with what you enjoy. Here is My Healthy Life Board.

What is a serving of fruits or vegetables? 1/2 to 1 cup, or any overflowing handful. A or two bite is not a serving. Be honest about serving sizes, the only person you hurt is you.

What is a fruit or vegetable? Well. It's not ketchup and it's not french fries.  Imagine the freshest hand-picked organic produce, now a frozen bag of produce and then a generic can of produce. From the hand to the can, it counts as a serving.

Why do this? All diets has the same success rate - I read that somewhere. So long as your calorie intake in lower than then calories you burn you will lose weight.  Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in calories, not to mentions a billion other benefits.  The more we eat, the less room and time we have for other foods. Increasing our fruits and vegetables isn't THE fix to a healthy body, but it's a damn good start. 

Evolution Review
• Do at least one act of self-care a day.
• Eat at least 1 fruit or a vegetable a day.

Be Green,
Dawn

© Photography & Writing - All Rights Dawn Marie Howard
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.