Convincing Folks to Thrive

“Seems to me that the real question is how to convince people to want to take care of themselves,” a friend wrote to me recently. It was a profound statement that really left me pondering. My first reaction was “DO I want to convince people to take care of themselves? “ It seems difficult enough to help individuals make the changes they need to improve their lives, and when you must start from scratch trying to convince them they should… Well, that seems overwhelming. In the last few months, my focus has been on working with those who already know the reasons why they should make changes, and have already taken the steps (consciously) towards a healthier life. Although ultimately individuals must reach that point on their own, it stirred the desire in me to come up with some convincing arguments, just in case someone is "on the fence", as it were.

Save money!

When old habits no longer work for you, and new routines take their place, it effects what’s left in your pocket profoundly. Whether you have given up cigarettes, curbed your drinking, stopped ordering pizza or traded the car for your bike, the amount of money you will have saved improving your overall well-being is staggering. Aside from the obvious cost of smokes, alcohol, pizza, and gas, the amount saved from health care alone should be enough to send you on a sunny vacation in Bora Bora for a week. For example, according to the New York Times, obese Americans spend $1429 more each year on health care than the $3400 spent by healthy weight Americans. Most of the excess spending is for prescription drugs needed to manage obesity-related conditions, mentions Eric A. Finkelstein, one of this study’s authors and the director of the public health economics program at the Research Triangle Institute, a nonprofit research organization. Obesity is just one measure. If we look at all of the ways improving our health fattens our checking account, surely the money saved alone would convince us that making changes for the better is worth the effort, yes?

Be a beacon of hope!

Your life and your accomplishments serve as examples to those who admire and observe you. Whatever risk you are willing to take, regardless of outcome, serves as a model for others. As you begin to feel better, look healthier and enjoy life more, it will become apparent to your friends, co-workers and family… giving them new hope for all that is possible in the world, or at least what is possible for themselves. Often, this hope is enough to change their perspective, offer a new paradigm on life, and inspire them to make changes to their daily lives as well. The domino effect is real. One person does have an effect on the energy around them, and it will cascade into other people’s lives in ways you might not expect. Surprisingly, it only takes a very small amount of energy to start the dominoes falling, but once started, that force becomes multiplied with each successive event until all the dominoes fall, releasing beacons of hope for countless others. You will have no idea how your actions will effect the world around you, until you just do it!

Feel better!

When someone is in a bad place, it is really hard to envision the life they could have. It is difficult to gain the perspective of happy healthy thriving individuals when their own body is lacking what it needs to function well. Yet with every new change towards health, be it improving your diet, exercising regularly, or adding daily meditation, each cell is affected positively. When each individual cell is performing at it’s best, when it is getting all of the nutrition and oxygen it needs, then it works well within that tissue, and in abundance, the entire organ operates more smoothly. All organs running smoothly continue the cycle of getting your body everything it needs to perform well mentally, emotionally and physically. You will get sick less often, rest will come easier, you will sleep more deeply, awake more refreshed. With everything in working order – behaving as nature intended – you will glide towards optimum health and your energy levels will soar!

Do it for your loved ones!

You’ve heard this one before… If you are unable to see the worth in doing it for yourself, then do it for your family. Do it for your kids or do it for your partner. Developing new habits that improve your health and well-being not only lengthens your life so that you will be around to support them while they are living theirs, but it also safeguards that they will have at least one significant and positive role model in their lives for as long as you’re around. It is always tough losing our parents, regardless of age, but if we know about the changes they made so they could live longer, and improve their quality of life, then when it comes time to finally saying good-bye, it seems less tragic somehow. Leaving a child behind early, however, due to our own lack of self-love, self-care and neglect, IS the foundation of tragic in this case, and is almost a guarantee that your less than optimal habits will live on in those who looked up to you, some never realizing they were detrimental to begin with. And worse, the possibility that this lack of self-care will be passed on to your grandchildren, and your great grandchildren… It is time to break the cycle and become a positive influence on your loved ones.

You are worth it!

This is the most difficult aspect of convincing others that they should take care of themselves. Most of us know that it doesn’t matter if we think someone is worth all of the love, care and attention in the world… If the individual has had experiences in their lives that prove to them otherwise, it often doesn’t matter what we think. I truly believe, however, in the inherent worth and dignity of all living beings. Even beyond us humans, we are all here for a purpose, and that purpose is to thrive. When we thrive, we are at our best and when we are at our best, what’s not to love! We are worth all of that LOVE and more! I wish I could convey to every person I work with that improving their health and making the changes necessary to feel better will fix all of their self-esteem and self-love issues. I’m not sure this is true, or even possible, for that matter. But it WILL improve your ability to cope with those inner voices, it WILL improve your brain function, and the ability of your cells to tackle stress, trump cancer and fight infections. You WILL get sick less often, save money, provide hope and feel better.  And you will certainly make those who love you incredibly happy to see you THRIVE.

Want to learn more about how to THRIVE?

Check out this film: http://thrivemovement.com/

Veggie Chorizo Bowl

Somewhere between Sloppy Joes and veggie chili, lies the Veggie Chorizo Bowl. Both sweet and spicy, this Mexican inspired "goulash" will make you think twice about eating out at your local taqueria. This simple dish can be served up in less than 30 minutes, either as a whole bowl, or mixed with rice and wrapped in a spinach or whole wheat tortilla. Bonus? It uses GABA brown rice, which can prevent and treat many conditions such as anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, insomnia, obesity and certain types of cancers. It's filling nutty consistency leaves you feeling "comfort food" satisfied. 

What I had on hand:

1 cup GABA brown rice

(I used the Koshihikari brand)

1 1/2 cups of water

2 TB peanut oil

1 package veggie chorizo

5 medium tomatoes, diced

1 small onion, diced

1/2 medium zucchini, diced

2 leaves green kale, torn in small pieces

1/4 cup hot wing sauce 

1/2 tsp adobo seasoning

1 tsp cumin

2 pinches ghost pepper salt

1 dollop of vegan sour cream or plain greek yogurt (optional)

1 pinch of cilantro or Vietnamese coriander (optional)

What I did:

Make rice according to directions. Heat oil in large wok pan. Remove casing from chorizo by cutting off the end and squeezing the package contents into pan like a tube of toothpaste. Add all remaining ingredients. Simmer uncovered, on low heat, stirring and scraping the bottom with a silicone spatula to prevent over browning or sticking for about 10 minutes. When you've reached the desired consistancy, turn off heat. Serve with rice. Top with a dollop of vegan sour cream or plain greek yogurt. Garnish with cilantro or Vietnamese coriander.

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Many grains could be used instead of brown rice... Try quinoa, millet, elbow macaroni or polenta. Experiment with the type of tomatoes, too. I used "just ripe" ones from the last harvest of the garden, but canned Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted Tomatoes would contribute a delicious smokey flavor, or you could use up the last of the salsa in the fridge.

For more information on the health benefits of GABA brown rice, click on this link:

http://www.gabarice.info/gaba-rice-benefits/

For more information on GABA, click on this link:

http://www.gabarice.info/category/gaba/

Three Sisters Stew

To Native Americans, the Three Sisters (corn, beans and squash) are the sustainers of life, believed to be special gifts from the "Creator". They are planted together in a hill, rather than in rows as we do now. The sturdy corn stalks support the vining beans, while the broad squash leaves trap moisture for the growing plants. This efficient planting technique, although noted by explorers as far back as the early 1600's, is mostly ignored in modern agriculture. Instead, we have devised a system of genetically modified seeds to fight disease and invasion, pesticides to eliminate stubborn pests and an enormous waste of precious resources.  

We have an opportunity to honor this trio. Just as they were planted together traditionally, and protected together, they are now served together in this delicious and exceptionally nutritious dish!

What I had on hand:

2 cups of cumin & olive oil roasted pumpkin, cubed

1-2 TB olive oil

1/2 red onion, diced

1 small yellow onion, diced

2 ears of fresh organic corn, sawed off the cob

2 cloves of garlic, pressed

1-2 cups of water

1/4 of a large zucchini, diced

2 medium heirloom tomatoes, diced

2 cups of green cherry tomatoes, diced

2 cups of black beans, cooked el dente

2 TB chili garlic paste

1/3 diced Vietnamese Coriander

A pinch or two each of: 

Ghost pepper salt, cumin, garam masala, crushed red pepper, course ground black pepper and sea salt

What I did:

Pumpkin:

Cut squash in sections, lightly coat with olive oil and roast in oven for 25 minutes at 350. Remove and let cool. Peel skin and discard, cube, sprinkle with cumin and sea salt, stir and return to oven for another 10 minutes. Freeze or use in 2-3 days.

Stew:

I actually used the lemon infused olive oil leftover in a can of dolmas as my base oil. After heating the oil in the soup pot briefly, I added the garlic and onions to the pot and sautéed for five minutes. Then add the remaining ingredients, one at a time, adding only one of the cups of water initially, and added more later if you need it. You want it to be thick like "stew".  Season last, adding a few extra pinches to achieve your own desired preference. The ingredients actually have an amazing flavor, but the combination of spice compliments the dish completely. Garnish with Vietnamese Coriander. YUM.

For more information about the nutritional benefits of organic corn, click on this link:

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/cereal/health-benefits-of-corn.html

For more information of the benefits of beans, click on this link:

http://www.blissplan.com/wellness/the-benefits-of-beans-9-reasons-why-you-should-eat-beans/

For more information on the benefits of squash, click on this link:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/2701-facts-health-benefits-squash/