The Kind Diet

I had taken some time off from writing here to finish up a book that my brother and I wrote about his journey with ALS, known by many as Lou Gehrig's Disease. It's written as a support for people who have it, and for their caregivers. I'm happy to provide copies, if anyone is interested.

Now I've surfaced again with renewed energy for writing about my favorite topic ~ FOOD!

In case you haven't heard about it, Alicia Silverstone has a wonderful book out called "The Kind Diet." Briefly, her diet is plant-based, and she does a good job of introducing a plethora of recipe options for those, as she puts it, "flirting" with going meatless.

In an interview for "Energy Times," she said she experienced both physical and mental benefits fairly quickly, and said she enjoyed a "lighter spirit" once she eliminated animal products as a food option.

I would agree. I experimented with an eight-week liver cleanse several years ago that was mostly plant-based. Some recipes occasionally called for free-range chicken or fish, but aside from that, I was pretty much just eating lots of fresh produce, drinking lots of water, and avoiding anything processed.

Was it daunting? No.

However it did take some planning.

But the pay off was that I felt great physically, and my outlook brightened.

It's true. You are what you eat, and Silverstone provides gentle guidance towards becoming a new, healthier "you."

As the title of her book suggests, what's good for you is also good for the planet!

(A note here ~ I'll be presenting a one-hour session on menu planning at the Academy of Yoga on Sunday, February 14th, at noon.)

A Llttle Help from our Friends

So you've decided that 2010 is the year to eat healthier?

Like any change, it's hard to do without support from the people around you. Eating food is a cultural experience, and unfortunately, the cards are stacked against us here. Like so many other aspects of American life, we tend to overdo it.

The economy is slow to rebound, and while it can be depressing and drive some people to eat the things they shouldn't, it's causing others to consider prioritizing where they spend their money, and consequently, what they choose to eat.

Not necessarily a bad thing, depending on your lens. Are we living in a time of crisis or opportunity? Eastern thought would say it can be either ~ depending on your outlook.

Make sure you surround yourself with positive people if you've chosen a path of change this year. Nothing drives us to the refrigerator faster than negative thoughts from associating with negative people. And nothing makes resolve easier than just a positive few who are rooting for your success!