For many, “getting healthy” is an elusive goal.  They think about it when they go shopping, wishing clothes fit better.  They think about it when they are doing activities with their kids, wishing they had more energy and stamina to keep up.   And they think about it when talking with their “healthy” friends, wondering how on earth they do it.

If you find yourself in this category, take comfort.  You can get healthy.  And you can start today.

Being healthy is a state of being that is achieved by making small, sustainable changes in your food and lifestyle choices over a period of time.  All those small changes start adding up, resulting in a remarkably healthier lifestyle.  You will be able to lose weight without struggling, and keep it off.  You will increase your energy and even improve your happiness.

Get Healthy By Adding More Vegetables

The single most important thing you can do today to get healthy is add more vegetables to your diet, especially leafy greens like baby spinach, swiss chard, collards, and kale.  Greens are full of nutrients that protect your vision, your bones, and your brain.  Who doesn’t want healthy eyes, strong bones, and an active healthy brain?  And getting more greens into your diet is easy!

Greens For Breakfast

Start your day with a whole food plant-based smoothie.  Place two handfuls of baby spinach or a baby greens mix into the blender with 1 cup of plant-based milk, such as coconut or almond milk (the unsweetened versions) and a banana or cup of strawberries for sweetness.  Whiz it up, pour it into a go-cup and you are out the door sipping a refreshing and nourishing breakfast.  The smoothie will be green, but it will taste like the fruit you put in it.

TIP:  To ensure you always have greens in the house, keep a canister of Raw Greens Powder in the pantry.  If you run out of fresh greens, you can just add a scoop of this powder to get the nutrition you need for a healthy body.

Leafy Lunches

Skip the drive-thru death trap and opt for a leafy green salad with lots of crunchy veggies, seeds and nuts for protein.  And use a full-fat organic salad dressing available in the produce section.  Why?  Many of the vitamins in greens, such as A, D, E and K are fat soluble.  If you are eating your salad with fat-free salad dressing full of chemically engineered ingredients to save some calories, this is not the best way to get healthy.  You may be cutting calories, but fat is not the enemy.  Some healthy fats in your meal ensure you get the full nutritional benefit of the meal, and help you feel satisfied.

TIP:  Make your own delicious salad dressing by mixing 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil with 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.  Serves 4.

Up the Veggies at Dinner

Is meat still the star of the dinner plate?  Then it’s time to reduce the meat portion to a quarter of the plate, and make room for more vegetables such sautéed swiss chard, kale salad, and cancer fighting cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower.   Explore meatless meal recipes and cook a meat-free meal at least twice a week to start.

TIP:  The ground beef called for in many recipes can be easily substituted with pinto beans, cannellini beans or black beans.  Beans are rich in protein and fiber, making them a much healthier option.

Are you ready to stop thinking about getting healthy and starting doing it?  Then pick one thing from the list above, and do it today.  Getting healthy is a step-by-step process.  By making small changes in your food choices each day, you will find that a new healthier you is within reach.

Would you like some support?  Contact me today for a free “Lose Weight, Gain Energy” Health Coaching Session.