HEALTHY EATING MADE SIMPLE

It's been a while since I last wrote, but as most of you know we have been out of the country for several weeks. We had a fantastic time with friends and family, and came back with somewhat tired bodies from all the travelling, but with our emotional cups full. We're already looking forward to our next visit home in four years' time.

While South Africa was experiencing one of its coldest winters in decades, I heard South Carolina was blistering hot. I bet everyone here is excited about fall and the cooler temperatures that are rapidly approaching. In a few weeks, we'll be ready to pull out our boots and warm sweaters!

This month, I want to take a look at just how simple it is to eat healthily. In many people's minds, healthy eating is so complicated, yet that shouldn't be the case. Healthy eating should be easy, simple and enjoyable! After all, eating is one of life's greatest pleasures.

Unfortunately, today's foods are often loaded with chemicals, hormones and additives, as well as being processed using methods that not only alter our body chemistry but also our very taste buds. And so we eat and eat! Which certainly isn't healthy.

The more natural, fresh and whole your food is, however, the better it is for not only for your waistline, but also for your overall health. The cleaner you eat, the leaner you'll be. It isn't always possible to eat organic, but you can still eat healthily and that's what I like to share with folks. Make sure that at least all the animal products you eat - including eggs and dairy - are hormone free. Half your diet should be comprised of raw fruit, veggies, nuts and seeds; the other half should come from lean, hormone-free protein sources and whole grains. You don't have to pay outrageous prices for meat. Kroger, Wal-Mart and Publix all have wonderful hormone free products at very reasonable prices.

TIPS FOR KEEPING IT SIMPLE

Balance your blood sugar levels - avoid stimulants and sugar. Eating a healthy fat or protein with your snack (e.g. 1 cup of raw veggies with 2 tablespoons of hummus) will keep your blood sugar from crashing.
Eat food in its natural, whole state - avoid over-processed food. Your body does not know what to do with processed food so keep it as clean and lean as you can.
After 3pm, make veggies your carbs - have oatmeal, brown rice, sweet potatoes, fruit and quinoa early in the day and salads and steamed vegetables later on.
Catch up on your good fats - especially omega -3 rich foods! For 30 years we have been told to avoid them. It's time to catch up. It's as simple as adding some raw almonds or ground chia seeds to your daily diet.
Keep your dinner lean with protein and greens.
Drink water, and more water, and even more water - avoid chemically artificial drinks and sodas.
Get plenty of rest - at least 7 to 8 hours a night!
Focus on resistance training 3 to 4 times a week. Walking remains one of my favorites and is one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercise.
Hot water with freshly squeezed lemon first thing in the morning and decaffeinated green tea until lunch keeps your mind clear and your body refreshed.
Remember, it's ALL about balance - eat and drink for the soul in moderation.

And this past week, I was reminded of something else that's vital for a healthy life. A friend and I were having lunch when she shared something funny that had happened to her. Well, it struck me so funny, I could not stop laughing! And I realized: We don't laugh enough! So why not laugh up a brighter day. Lie on your back, eyes closed. Think back on something ridiculous you or someone else did that makes you smile or laugh! And enjoy that moment!

SIMPLE, BUT YUMMY RECIPES

Here are some quickrecipes that I recently came up with. Hope you enjoy them as much as my family did!

Mango and Blueberry Freeze

1 mango peeled and pitted

½ to 1 cup ice (depending on how cold you like it)

Blend in blender until smooth, pour into tall glasses, top with fresh blueberries and a sprig of mint.

Watermelon Chiller

Place fresh watermelon (with the rind!) in a blender, add ice and blend till nice and slushy.

Serve in small bowls or cups.

Carrot-Celery-Ginger-Apple Juice (serves 1)

3 medium-sized carrots

1/5 in (less or more depending on how spicy you want it) piece of fresh ginger

1 apple

½ stick of celery

Put through juicer and enjoy!

Raw Burritos

Serves 5

1 large and 1 small avocado - mashed finely with fork

4 radishes, finely chopped

1 yellow bell pepper, finely chopped

2 tomatoes

4 sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped

1/2 green/spring onion, finely chopped

2 sprigs parsley, finely chopped

2 teaspoons tamari

Pinch of garlic and chilli spice

Juice from 1/2 a lime or lemon

4 tbsp raw sunflower seeds

1 cup of any sprouts, alfalfa work well

Mix the radishes, pepper, tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, spring onion, and parsley into mashed avocado.

Season with tamari, lime/lemon juice, chilli and garlic spice and some Himalayan salt to taste. Rinse and dry several romaine lettuce leaves. Put a large spoonful of the mixture onto each leaf. Add sunflower seed and alfalfa sprout to the avocado mixture. Roll the romaine leaves into a burrito. Delicious.

I adapted this recipe from RAW FOOD. A complete guide to every meal of the day.

SIMPLE WHOLE FOOD PRODUCTS

The average person living in the First World lacks three things in their daily diet: green foods, good fats and fiber. That's why we need to make the effort to get them into our systems every day. If we do, we know that we are covering the basics!

AIM LeafGreens to nourish - a high-protein, low-sugar green drink, loaded with natural iron and a phenomenal ORAC score; only 4 capsules per day.

AIMega

AIMega to replenish - the good fats; 2 with breakfast and 2 with dinner.

AIM Herbal Fiber Blend to cleanse and keep your "septic tank" clean - 4 to 6 capsules about 30 minutes before dinner; always drink 4 to 8 glasses of water a day with this product. Remember that fiber bulks in the colon.

To order, go to: www.myaimstore.com/lererobinson

Simple, natural and nutrition that works!

ALIVE AGAIN NUTRITION BOOT CAMP

Wednesday - 5 October - 9.30-11.30 a.m.
Friday - 14 October - 9.30 - 11.30 a.m.
Friday - 21 October - 9.30 - 11.30 a.m.
Thursday - 27 October - 9.30 - 11.30 a.m.

Our next Boot Camp will be held on Pickens Street in Columbia. For more information or to register, please contact Lere at 803 403 4777.

WIN A SPOT ON A GROCERY TOUR

Become our 100th Facebook fan and win a spot on a one-hour Grocery Tour at the Publix on Kennerly Rd in Irmo. Never make bad food choices again!

Join us on Facebook over the next ten days as we look at steps for sustained energy. Just click the link on the left!

Until next time, yours in healthy living,

Lere

"To those who have been called, who is loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance." Jude 1b-2