I have been wanting to write about food for a long time but it is such a huge topic that I didn’t know where to start.
So here is my food story…
History:
I didn’t realize as a kid that foods has the potential to affect me as powerfully as the do. And on so many levels.
I also didn’t know that eating a lot of processed foods would lead to me not being able to east most foods in my late 20’s.
But overall, this was a good thing because this illness sent me off on on a mission to heal and a desire to learn all that I could about eating and food and nutrition.
if you have read 4 Hour Body, you know that Tim Ferris does a lot of self experimentation. Some things work. Some don’t. This is how I go about things, too.
And i was driven to do this because during that time that I could not eat most things, I went to about 10 different specialists and none of them helped.
I did better testing foods and supplements on myself than blindly listening to some expert that gives me terrible advice for $200 a visit and then keeps me on that program even though subsequent visits showed that I was not getting better.
MY HEALING:
My healing came to me when one of my massage clients came in and told me about raw milk and Weston Price (which I will go into in future posts).
After following this new (and seemingly absurd) regimen for about 3 months, I noticed I was able to eat and successfully digest more varieties of foods.
After 6 months I was able to eat whatever i desired without any digestive problems whatsoever.
WHERE I AM TODAY:
Currently I am still eating in line with Weston Price, though not as much as a few years ago because I do not have access to raw milk and my time to prepare foods is minimal, so I do the best I can.
My eating patterns are similar to Alternate Day Diet. I tend to eat more one day and then less the next day. It feels natural to me, and then someone told me about that diet and I was like, “I already do that!”
I do eat meat. (that will be another post, too).
I take a number of whole food supplements and am always testing new ones to see how they feel.
I am physically active: exercise a lot, walk a lot and play with my dog a lot because it’s fun, not because I feel like I have to.
I consume healthy fats (for me that is Olive, Coconut, Butter, Tallow and Lard… yep… I said Lard.)
I drink coffee and consume caffeine and I’m totally ok with that for where I am in my life right now.
I drink in moderation (2 glasses of wine). If I drink more than moderation I feel worse than death. That was not the case 6 months ago, but I have to honor that something shifted and now I drink no more than 2 glasses of wine at one time.
I do use protein shake supplements (and I will tell you the ones my body seems to like the most RIGHT NOW) but I by the “clean” ones. I know these are no where near close to nature, but again, I am ok with myself because my lifestyle is as it is right now.
I eat a lot of veggies – tons of variety – because I get it delivered. That way I’m not habitually selecting the same veggies every time.
I eat some fruit. Again, with lots of variety.
I eat lots of eggs, ideally free range but they can be hard to get in my area and are quite pricy.
I eat dairy. I prefer raw cheese, but then I put it in an omelet and wonder why I’m buying it raw. I make yogurt when I can, but I can’t find milk in my area supermarket that I like. I know raw is illegal in Illinois unless purchased at the farm, but I can’t even find organic unless I go to Whole Foods which I don’t have time to do most of the time.
I eat nuts and beans. Wish I could soak them, but again, it’s a time factor.
I eat lots of soup. Extra special treat when i can make bone broth!
OVERALL PHILOSOPHY:
Eat what feels good. Eat what your body tells you feels good.
Eat things that are as close to nature as possible prepared as traditionally as possible.
Eat a variety of color and type of food.
Pay attention to how I feel after I eat something, especially if my body isn’t used to it.
Go Organic if possible.
Don’t be so strict that breaking my overall philosophy ruins my day/week/month. A Cadbury Egg is an indulgence I enjoy once a year. I also enjoy a Starbucks Frappaccino once in a while. My body can handle it if it’s in moderation. Sure, it may not be healthy for me but neither is the iron fist of unwavering discipline 24/7, which I consider to be out of balance, also.
Food habits and patterns may change over time based on location, access to food types, climate, age, stress, physical activity and a infinite number of other factors. Let it change and be easy on myself.
I am full of contradictions, but overall I skip most processed foods so I am doing pretty well and certainly better than most of the population.
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I don’t know if writing this helps you but my point isn’t to tell you you MUST do this or that, or that my way is the only path. I am always tinkering on my own philosophy on food and you should, too.
I have a strong aversion to those that insist that the way they eat is the right way. I know it comes out of enthusiasm and passion, and that their way has probably made them feel quite good, but it’s certainly not the only way.
I am simply sharing what has worked for me because I am aware that many indigo adults struggle with what to eat in this modern age, so maybe this will helps some people.
More to come…
~ Peace ~
Indigo Leslie