The Next Best Step to a Healthier You

I get asked my opinion about diets all the time, and regularly make dietary suggestions to my patients as part of their treatment plans.  And, while the specifics may vary, there are some basic principles that I find myself repeating over and over again.  So I thought I would share them with you. They are:

1: Take Lateral or side steps

2. Eat more greens

3: The Run DMC rule

Today, I am going to talk about lateral steps or side steps.

Most of us want to move towards greater health-more vitality, increased energy, better digestion. solid sleep,  glowing skin, a flat belly-whatever it may be for you. So what is your best next step, given that there are often a number of ways to get there or a number of things standing in our way. Sometimes our biggest obstacle is ourselves- fears, addictions, poor habits, low motivation, or perhaps we simply don't have a good support system or don't know what to do.
 
The good news is: No matter where you are on your road to optimal health, you can take the next step.  


Often, the simplest next best step is a side step or a lateral step.  This means asking yourself, "Can I replace something I am doing or eating with a healthier option?"


Here are some examples and food for thought:

• Increase the amount of organic foods in your diet, or start buying your veggies from farmer's markets. 
• Start decreasing gluten by swapping out wheat pasta and crackers for rice pasta and crackers. 
• If you eat dairy, use raw organic or goat dairy (cheese, milk, yogurt, butter), rather than conventional dairy (the toxins are stored in the fat my friends!) 
• Swap organic dark chocolate for your favorite candy bar
• Make a healthy breakfast smoothie with protein, rather than than buying smoothies from the store or Jamba Juice (which I've seen referred to as adult milkshakes-super high in sugar!)
• Swap out green tea or roasted dandelion tea for coffee.  Or make coffee a treat once a week, rather than a daily habit.
• Take a look at your snack bar.  Can you understand the ingredients and does it have some quality protein (ideally not soy) and some other redeeming qualities- like nutrients, greens of fiber, or is it just an adult candy bar?

Taking lateral steps moves you forward down the path to greater health.  This is the way that I have eased on down the road.


You may think that when you start down the path of making healthier food choices, or find that you have food allergies or sensitivities and need to avoid some of you favorites, that it is going to to be a chore or you will feel restricted and limited.  My experience has been that when one door closes, others open.  And by closing doors you discover whole new realms of foods and eating that actually feel really good.

Raw desserts were one of those doors for me.  After an episode of getting severely poisoned (more on that another time), I had to be really strict about what was coming into my body.  No wheat, corn, dairy, egg... so desserts where pretty much out.  Until I discovered Cafe Gratitude and learned how to make raw desserts.  All of a sudden i could indulge in these treats and guess what- my body actually felt good after eating them!  What a concept. They didn't leave me feeling heavy and spacey and tired.  Bonus.

So I am a big fan of side stepping, and have seen it work wonders in helping others transform their health and create lasting positive habits.  


My Essential Cleanse program is a great way to redirect you into some of these new realms of eating and give you lots of support and specific suggestions of how to make specific lateral steps.  Find out more about our upcoming programs here- the Post-Holiday Essential Cleanse kicks off on January 5th!


Love to hear about some lateral shifts that you have made in your life and the difference it has made in your health, so please share your comments below!