This week I’m keeping it real.
Really simple, really light, and really easy. Despite most of my meals being super easy and pretty quick to prepare, I often find I’m trying to top myself each night. How many extra veggies can I jam into this dish? How can I make this meal even more nutritious? ,How can I make it more filling?, more colorful and tastier than the last? Whilst I’m sure most wouldn’t see anything wrong with this, and I certainly don’t have any complaints from Shannon, this week I decided to take a different approach.
Most of you know I’m mostly pescatarian that is until crispy bacon enters the equation. Last week I actually craved meat, and it felt as though I was missing out. So this week I decided to listen to my body and throw some in the mix. Over time you will come to realise that my approach to food is guided not only by science, but also intuition. For me, food should be fresh and of the highest quality, it should be easily digested, it should be paired with foods that improve the bioavailability of the nutrients, it should satisfy your senses, be aesthetically pleasing, prepared with love and eaten mindfully. When I’m trying to do too much, time slips away from me, I rush, and I lose touch with a couple of those principles “prepared with love, and eaten mindfully”. When I start living away from the present moment (and yes, even yogi’s do so at times) we really are missing out on the good stuff. Eating well isn’t just about following a list of good and bad foods; it’s about, learning to listen to your own body and honor what it needs.
I’d like to demonstrate an example of this: As I don’t eat a lot of meat, it is important I still maintain my protein intake through legumes, eggs, brown rice and quinoa etc. Last week I didn’t have a great deal of protein, and I was starting to feel pretty run down and crappy. A healthy immune system relies on an adequate intake of quality protein, a deficiency can result in the depletion of immune cells, without these, the body is unable to produce antibodies: which are required to protect you against harmful microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria. Now, I’m able to say this because: I have my iron levels monitored regularly, I am currently taking a high quality haem iron supplement, and I’m mid-cycle, so I know these cravings for meat are not due to an iron deficiency or blood loss.
Bottom line: Low intake of protein + low immune function + craving meat may just be my body telling me to do something about it. I’m certainly not suggesting you start to self diagnose, but rather have a bit more awareness about oneself. Sit with yourself for an hour or two at the end of a week, ask yourself questions, feel and look at your body. If you find your skin breaking out, have look at your elimination pathways; are you going to the toilet enough? Are getting enough fibre? Are you drinking enough water? If your mood is low, look at what foods you are and are not eating differently, etc. I also find a trip to the fruit & veg shop or markets also help, if certain colours or food groups jump out at you, then don’t ignore that! Have fun, enjoy my approach, and feel free to share your experience with me.
If you are interested in what’s on in my kitchen this week, then you can purchase my super simple meal plan + recipes + shopping list by clicking here