Dr. Greene's New Year's Resolutions

I really like Dr. Greene's approach on many natural health topics - relating to families. He is a pediatrician who takes a BIG interest in organic foods, the environment, and tackling these issues using a holistic health approach. I thought this newsletter was worth sharing:

1.   Learn the Food Rules:   

I've already memorized all 64 of Michael Pollan's fabulous Food Rules, a book he wrote with simple, straightforward tips to help us all navigate our food choices. Which ones are your favorites? Discover my favorite rules (and which were made to be broken) by clicking here...  

2.   Make a switch to organic:  

You don't have to dive into organic food 100 percent... Check out my Organic RX to discover the most important organic choices you can make for your family - in order of importance! 

 

3.   Cut down on the boxes, bags and containers: 

Convenience foods are frequently full of preservatives, artificial ingredients and unnecessary chemical additives. This year, concentrate on reducing the number of pre-packaged foods that sit in your pantry. Making the switch from a berry-flavored fruit snack to fresh berries cuts down on calories, increases nutritional value and eliminates many harmful additives.

4.    Resolve to plant a garden 
          (or at least a windowbox, or some basil in the kitchen): 

Research shows that kids are more likely to enjoy fresh vegetables if they are able to see them grow and help in the process. It's too early to put tomato seedlings into the ground in most areas, but it's not too early to get your family involved in plans for a spring garden. Ask your children to help you pick out a garden plot and decide what to plant. When the spring flowers start to bloom, your kids will be excited to get started, and by summer you'll all be enjoying beautiful fruits and veggies you grew yourselves! PS - I love little kid-friendly gardening sets like this one...

What can I release or make peace with?

I wanted to share a question that I pose to my clients & friends. What can you release or make peace with? The last few months have been rather busy for me. Running a small business is still a "process" and there is much to learn. Though sometimes doing everything myself overwhelms me and stresses me out (I do like a challenge). Then these little things in life start getting to me. Sound familiar? It isn't fun. These are things I thought I had conquered, but are resurfacing. Lovely right?

These challenges or obstacles we face are really more of a reminder to us on how we can live our best life. How can I say that? Well these challenges are just like when your body let's you know that you are sick - this symptom/challenge is telling you something.  Maybe it is asking you to slow down and relax. Maybe you should be getting more sleep. Maybe you need to be eating better, maybe exercising outdoors in below zero weather needs to be put on hold for a bit. Whatever the symptom/obstacle is if you pay attention you will know what you need to do.

One of the many fantastic things about my health counseling business is that I am blessed to work with people who have similar challenges to my own. Which means the frequent tips & recommendations I give out to my clients, which are close to my heart, are revisited daily. We all know the the saying, "do as I say and not as I do." I don't believe that this saying applies in my particular field (or any really). I never recommend that my clients try certain foods that I am unwilling or uninterested in trying myself nor do I request that they adjust certain lifestyle behaviors without knowing that I too am either in the same process or have done it before. I think (for lack of a better saying right now) that is hogwash! When I speak with someone in any field I want to trust them and know they have the experience to back up their recommendations.

So to the point. I was speaking with a friend who gently reminded me of my own message (really a shared message between both of us) - What can you let go of or make peace with? Here is my current challenge - I would like to let go of certain internal/unrealistic expectations I have for myself. This pressure leads to tremendous amounts of stress and negativity in my life. There I said it - BIG sigh. Thanks for letting me share.

I ask you now to think about this question and determine what you want during this wonderful time of renewal and rebirth. What do you want? What can you release? What can you make peace with? What can you do more of?

Cheers to you and your best life!