Directing your GPS to Wellness
Have you ever noticed that when things are going really great in your life, perhaps with your relationships or your career, food takes a backseat? For example, you just met the man or woman of your dreams. You are on cloud nine. Food is the furthest thing from your mind when you are dreaming about your next date!
This phenomenon applies to many areas of our life. When we are deeply involved in meaningful work, the hours fly by and we may even forget to eat. The truth is, we are fed by not just what we put our on plates each day, but by other areas in our life that “feed” us. These are what we call Core Foods. Core Foods nourish us just as much as actual food. They satisfy us internally at our core and provide energy on a deeper level.
If you have ever felt depressed or sad and turned to food as a comfort, it is easy to understand how food can feed you both emotionally and physically. Whenever there is an imbalance with your Core Foods in life, there is usually an equal and opposite imbalance with the food that you are eating. Your body wants to be in balance, and it turns to food to help out until we feel brave enough to address the underlying issues of our Core Foods.
Holistic health takes into account both the food you are eating and your Core Foods in order to examine the whole person. Examining the whole person is crucial in determining which food and lifestyle choices will truly nourish an individual. While it may seem that we should all be eating the same foods, the truth is that different foods work for different people at different times. Should someone who sits at a desk all day be eating the same foods as a person who is on their feet all day? Should a marathon runner eat differently than a corporate executive? Not likely.
Core Foods are just one reason why a holistic approach to health is essential for living a balanced life. To begin learning how Core Foods play a part of your nutrition and lifestyle choices, consider the following areas of your life:
- Career: do you have meaningful work that inspires you and fulfills your unique life purpose?
Relationships: do you have loving relationships that allow you to connect with others?
Physical Activity: are exercise and movement that you enjoy a part of your life?
Spirituality: do you make time for prayer, meditation, or a spiritual practice?
Life Speed: is the pace of your life so busy that you feel out of control or can never relax?
Start by choosing just one of these areas to focus on. Make a list of three things that would begin to create more balance for you in that area. Then choose one to try this week. Begin to make the connection between your lifestyle and the food you are eating. This is the first step to gaining balance with your Core Foods.
Holistic Nutrition Counselors Suzanne Monroe and Carey Peters are passionate about helping people to curb sugar cravings, experience more energy and make lasting lifestyle changes. Suzanne is the owner of Real Life Food and is the co-author of 101 Ways to Improve Your Health and The Eat Well Everyday eCookbook. Carey is the owner of Elevate: A Lifestyle Makeover, based in Los Angeles. Both Carey and Suzanne offer healthy tips and resources on their websites: www.eatwellcrashcourse.com
