Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Eat to Live

Before I get started, this is Robin's area of expertise. I am trying to get her to start a blog on nutrition, so if you think you would appreciate something like that, post some comments so maybe we can get some peer pressure going :)

So...it's not really been a secret that last September, Robin and I started eating differently. Since that time, I have lost 20lbs. and feel more energy than ever before. Also, I normally get sick (colds and stuff) about every 2-3 weeks throughout the winter (I know, I am sickly), but this winter, I have only gotten 1 cold so far!

People ask what "diet" we are on...up until now, I didn't really know what to tell people except that we tried to eat mostly raw, unprocessed foods like fruits, veggies, beans, and nuts. It's also been formed by our friends Red and Liz and the way they have been eating as Red recovers from cancer...

But now I would say that it most closely resembles the diet in the book "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.

Which got me questioning, Eat to Live...How?

My point is this: I have chosen to eat so as to live in the absence of sickness and the pursuit of longevity. However, others may choose to eat to live for different reasons.

None of my friends get sick like I used to. I was a bit of a immune system freak. Thus, most of my friends would see very little effect on their day-to-day life from eating the diet that I do. And, while I do think they would live LONGER eating like we do, perhaps they have different priorities.

Maybe some eat to live happily... (My father-in-law, "You only live once!")

Maybe some eat to live socially...

Maybe some eat to live caffeinated...

SO...I ask 2 things of you:

1) Figure out why you are eating: to sustain your body? to enjoy the moment? to connect with those around you? to wash away pain?

2) Don't have expectations contrary to your main purpose:
- If you choose to eat for health, don't have expectations of everything tasting great all the time. Trust me, it won't!
- If you choose to eat for taste in the moment, don't complain when your health goes bad some day.

Remember, no purpose is necessarily better than another, in my book, as long as we are honest with ourselves and understand we can't have our cake and eat it too. Thoughts?

5 comments:

  1. All men die, not every man truly lives...now where'd I put that Twinkie?!

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  2. Hey Ryan,

    Tim and I would love Robin to start a blog about healthy eating!!!!!!!!!
    Take care,
    Lucy

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  3. Another great book is called "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan. He has some very similar ideas about the difference between food and food products. Most American's diets actually consist of food that has been tampered with and processed to the point of not really being food anymore. I'm glad you guys are working hard to make a change. We're going through the same thing in our household and sometimes the transition is tough, for the very reasons you've mentioned: sometimes we just want to eat for enjoyment rather than sustenance. That's not to say we never enjoy truly good food, but sometimes we really want that Oreo cookie. And sometimes we allow ourselves a small treat. It's all about balance and long-term perspective. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. I think that's good Ryan. For me, I'm just trying to develop a healthy relationship with food and with God and because of my past struggles with addiction and unhealthy coping strategies, "eating to live" as far as physical/ emotional health has changed my life. I appreciate my dad's view, "you only live once," and Allen's comment. For me personally, eating whole raw foods has allowed me to enjoy the moment, the day... but I'm kind of weird because I actually enjoy carrot juice, green banana power salads and soaked oats! It is fun to look for raw/healthy recipes for our family.

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  5. I'd love for Robin to do a blog! When we are together, I am always asking her tons of questions about what she has read (or learned from Liz), so I would definitely read if she posted her thoughts on the topic.
    No pressure, though, Robin. :)

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