Roots of Healthy Living

This week I was asked to share what I usually eat for breakfast. This is a loaded question which requires some explanation.

We've always been taught that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In that declaration also comes the assumption that it needs to be big and hearty to give your body energy to survive the day. On the surface that makes sense. I want to change the paradigm for a moment.

Through my studies this past year I have learned that most of us walk around with colons that do not function very properly. Unfortunately the American Diet tends to lean very heavily on animal products and refined foods. Both can reek havoc on our systems. Milk and diary along with white flour and other refined foods can actually work like layers of glue in our intestines. Those layers build up over time and can make it increasingly difficult for our body to absorb the nutrients that we need from the food that we eat. So, we have a double whammy. 1) The foods we eat are not nutrient dense and 2) What we do eat is having difficulty getting into our systems.

The average American probably only assimilates about 8% of the nutrients in the food that he or she is eating. What are the consequences? We are always hungry. Our bodies are literally starving. In fact, most often, the more overweight you are the more your body is in starvation mode. It is constantly sending out hunger signals because it's not getting what it needs. How often do you find yourself rummaging all day and never satisfied? Or you eat a gigantic meal and an hour later your hungry again?

So, what is the answer? The place to begin is the colon. Until we heal the colon we will continue on this roller coaster. There are some great cleansing programs out there. Dr. Christopher has a great three day juice cleanse that is works fantastic, is inexpensive and easy to do. There are also great herbs out there specifically designed to work on the bowel. One of the greatest is Slippery Elm.

In addition, eating more plant based whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, etc, and less of the other will speed up the healing, you will lose weight, feel better, and have more energy.

When your colon is working properly it is possible to take in up to 40% of the nutrients being consummed. Add to that, eating foods that contain more organic vitamins and minerals in greater quality and you are eating less and getting much more out of what you eat.

So back to breakfast. I usually "break my fast" with fruit, large glass of water, and some herbal supplements. Sometimes I grab a handful of almonds. If I'm really hungry I eat a bowl of oatmeal or other cereal like it. I most often stick to fruit and am never really hungry. I let my body continue to cleanse throughout the morning. Remember fruit is great for cleansing. (Refer to previous blog on Fabulous Fruit) Some of my favorite breakfasts are:

Lite Breakfasts:
*smoothies,
*fresh juice
*Bowl of fresh fruit
*Chopped apple, sprinkled with cinnamon & honey warmed on the stove
*Grab a Banana, apple, etc. and go
*Raw Almonds
*Cup of Herbal Tea with Whole Grain Toast

Bigger Breakfast:
*Whole Grain Cereal like Oatmeal
*Thermos Wheat Cereal: Put whole wheat into thermos the night before, cover with boiling water, let sit overnight and serve with honey and raisins or chopped fruit.

*Whole grain toast with peanut butter and banana drizzled with honey
*Granola (make your own or buy health store brand) with soy yogurt or rice milk and chopped fruit.