I Think I C.A.N.

To Plant a Seed is To Believe I think I C.A.N.  It is springtime, the doves are cooing, and I am back walking again on the Fulkey Gulley Hike and Bike trail observing all the beautiful, colorful wildflowers.  Enjoy these wonderful spring moments.  Think Color for your diet as well.

I Think I C.A.N. - That is: add Color, Alkaline, and Nuts to My Diet

CAN = Color, Alkaline, and Nuts

As many of you know, I hit menopause two years ago (I do not understand how that happens at the age of 32!!) and have been struggling with my weight.  Eating habits that I have had for years were no longer working for me.  Exercise was not bringing my weight down.

At my new church, a bible study was beginning called, "Devoted Bodies."  It is a six week class that showed much research and many bible references. Some things were palatable, some not.

For me, it was not about taking away things. It talks about adding color, alkaline, and nuts (C.A.N.) to our meals.  It was about adding the right things to our daily routine.

Bottom Line:

1.   DRINK MORE WATER.  We are made of water.  Just add a glass a day until you reach the level of half of your weight in ounces.  So, at 128 lbs, you would drink 64 ozs.

2.   EAT MORE FRUITS, VEGETABLES, Beans and Grains.  A minimum of 7-13 servings of fruits and vegetables daily is recommended.  Again, add an additional fruit or vegetable until you are at 7-13 servings.  The more & different (C)olors, the better.

3.   EAT FIBER-RICH FOODS to maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels, bowel function, and weight.  Think pulp, beans, whole grains, and nuts.  The more (A)lkaline, the better.

4.   SELECT HEALTHY PROTEINS.  Each meal should include some lean protein.  Portion size should be the size of your fist.

5.   EAT HEALTHY FATS which are one that are not cooked. Raw nuts, seeds (like flax), avocado.  (N)uts, in moderation, the better.

6.   MOVE YOUR BODY.  Thirty (30) minutes a day and good walking shoes: the world is yours.  Add a little resistance (weights) and you have your own gym.

7.   EAT MORE, LESS OFTEN (ELMO Diet).  Eat 200 to 300 calories, 5 or 6 times a day or 400 to 500 calories 3 times a day.  For calories, take your ideal weight with a zero added (135lbs = 1350 calories)

Things that really hit home:

A.   MILK.   No other animal drinks milk after its weaned or the milk of another species.  Cow's milk helps calves weigh 1,000 pounds in less than four years.

B.   FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN EAT.  Closer to raw the better.

C.   THROW AWAY THE SCALE.