Name Your Why!
Forks Over Knives #2

“Take care of your body.  It’s the only place you have to live.”  ~Jim Rohn

If I have not peeked your interest enough with the first post in this series, then please take the time to watch the 2011 Netflix documentary Forks over Knives. It is transforming the conversation nationwide about eating more plant-based whole foods. Understanding that daily food choices drive our health should promote a curiosity and desire to personally evaluate those choices.

While change can be difficult, it is POWERED by the reasons behind it…the “WHY am I doing this?” One cannot deny the revealing science that food improves our health, vitality and longevity OR leads to chronic disease, inflammation, and poor health. So, what is MY ‘WHY’ for making lifestyle choices to eat more whole, plant-based foods, add yoga to my schedule 3 times a week, schedule time to exercise with cardiovascular or weight training 2-3 times a week, and practice some type of mindfulness meditation regularly?

The answers for me are easy.
> To minimize the impact of a strong genetic inheritance for arthritis and inflammation in my body.
> Be an active grandparent one day.
> Set an example for my family, my WellSprings team as well as my patients.
> Honor God, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”  ~ I Corinthians 6:19-20

What is YOUR ‘Why?’

> Desire for healthy and active grandkids.
> Minimize chronic disease, arthritis, memory loss, etc.
> Save money.
> Stay vital.
> Decrease medication and/or decrease and eventually remove addictions.

Choosing to change your eating habits is certainly taking the “road less traveled” but it is a path worth taking.  As with every journey, you can expect bumps along the way and that’s okay. Try thinking outside the box as to how you can add more fruits and vegetables in your daily food choices. Google recipes. Be curious about new foods. Decrease soda and add water. Move more. Set goals. Ask God to guide you and help you. Surrender. Be grateful for the journey. Find an accountability partner to help you stay focused.

Once you know your ‘why,’ begin your journey. There is so much information out there about foods and nutrition. Forks Over Knives has many valuable resources.  The FOK course begins with explaining what plant-based whole food eating involves and the philosophy behind it. You do not have to take this course to take advantage of their available resources. Get started today by reading the food labels in your pantry as well as any you purchase in the future.  See if you can determine exactly what you are putting inside your body. You may be amazed.

Wellness Resources

Documentaries: (available on Netflix)
Forks Over Knives
What the Health

Websites:
www.pcrm.com
21 Day Vegan Kick Start

nutritionfacts.org

www.forksoverknives.com

www.happycow.com (plant-based restaurants when traveling)

plantricianproject.org

nutritionstudies.org

Books:
Forks Over Knives by Gene Stone

How Not To Die by Michael Gregor

How Not To Diet by Michael Gregor

Blue Zones Solution by Dan Buettner

Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell Esselstyn

Codependent No More by Melody Beattie

Undo It by Dean and Anne Ornish

Your Body In Balance by Neal Barnard  (Women’s Health and Hormones)