We Are What We Eat

Hey all, sorry about the late post but I've been going through quite a bit over the last few days! Anyways, so I decided to centre post #3 around healthy nutrition after noticing changes in my sleep & anxiety issues (refer to post #1 & #2) when I switched to better eating habits. Now I'm no nutritionist but I can attest to the fact that my body went through real changes after eating healthier. Also, I have been doing tons of research and reading over the past 3 years of  living with severe chronic and insomnia and major anxiety. Not surprisingly, proper foods and nutrition make a HUGE difference in overall well being, affecting things like the amount of positive brain chemicals you produce which are responsible for everything from how you deal with stress to how you sleep at night.
But firstly, a quick update on my progress thus far (refer 2 post 1&2 if ur confused):
I'm back out at work (yay!) yay cuz I'm keeping busy during the day and still have my translations on the side as extra income (staying home and doing nothing constructive with your life is a sure way 2 get sad and depressed easily...it's best 2 get out there and DO something.) I'm also continuing my Yoga (LOVE IT) and starting gym. (making up for all the years of non-physical activity!) Although I still have 1 or 2 nights where I find difficulty falling asleep, there have been several nights where i DO sleep for at least 4-5 hrs and wake up feeling great the next day, able 2 function. I've even been able 2 go out late again with friend & stay up late and watch movies w/mom (which although may seem insignificant, are actually milestones for me...things I wasn't able to do a couple months ago where I had to be in bed by 7pm cuz I was to exhausted to do anything else.) However I've realized I need to fully wait till my body gets accustomed to sleeping...cuz after going out for the past few wkends past my 'bedtime', i've fallen BACK into bad sleep :(  SO i have to start over and get my body reaccustomed...lesson learnt: Wait at LEAST a few months/ Go out during the day and get home by 9pm...early i know but i'd rather get my health back in order thank  very much!
 So despite the few setbacks, I no longer cry or get anxious and depressed about the sleep stuff.. My whole perspective has changed so that I strive to keep negativity out of my life. However, lately, other branches of Life's tree have been bothering me...and thus disrupting my sleep for the past few nights *sigh* ...so I just need 2 learn how 2 cope with things that upset me andhow to not let it affect my sleep....but anyways, this experience is surely a stepping stone 2 greater things and I needed 2 learn how 2 handle it. It's not what you endure in life but how you endure it. I'm just glad to be back on track, keeping my head high and keeping the faith.
 "Your Health is Your Wealth."- The mantra of the old fogies. At 23 I'm finally realizing they TRULY DO know what they're talking about! lol. With age comes wisdom. Ever since my new health-conscious state, I can now assure you that Ignorance is NOT Bliss. A lack of knowledge of proper, healthy, daily nutrition, spurned by the recent onslaught of microwave EVERYTHING from pizza to italian pastas to soups, veggie lasagnes etc, has resulted in a fast-paced society characterised by instant gratification.
"Ready in 3-5 minutes" are the words any busy, working person (particularly mothers & students) dream of as they are a great time-saver. But what are the disadvantages and prices to pay for this quick n'easy lifestyle when it comes to our health?
It is scientifically proven that this pop-in-the-microwave-and-eat approach carries a host of ramifications on our long-term health as these items contain artificial flavouring,preservatives (to keep taste & quality while frozen), sodium etc which all increase the risks of dieseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension etc. Check this link out for a shocking dose of reality:

Nope, it's not ice cream peeps!! it's CHICKEN used in patties, nuggest, McDonald's etc etc...I kid you not...I wish I were joking...check out the eye opening link here for more information....GET AWARE!


http://docakilah.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/can-you-guess-what-mcdonald%E2%80%99s-food-item-this-is/


So why is all this stuff bad for you? Simply put, our bodies have to work overtime to process the 'fake ingredients' put into these 'real' food dishes. But it's just soooo easy!!! *sigh* anyways so I cut out all that stuff, started taking the time 2 eat fruits,make my own salads (minus the sald dressing) and make my own dishes....well help mommy make my own dishes (lol...yea yea i'm still working on thecooking thing!!!) Cuz being bombarded by all the info of eating this leads 2 cancer (I blame yet thank YOU Dr.Oz) just made me realize how much crap i was putting into my system at a very young age (I'm talking choclate/junkfood overload from like 10!)
So for example, I began eating more whole grain stuff like whole grain gluten free ezekiel bread, whole grain pasta, cracker setc with more egg,tuna etc and less deli meat, chicken and all that stuff. I also eat tons more veggies and fruits (blueberries,strawberries,grapes,apples,pears,kiwi,carrots,spinach,tomatoes,cucumbers etc) and for a sugar craving i eat chocolate covered almonds and hazenuts! I've cut out my sugar intake(no more softdrinks,only 100%juice and just one cup a day,no more refined sugary treats...bye bye Oreos,) as well as unnecessary carbs (no more bingeing on bags of doritos and sunchips when bored) Now I just drink tons of water or chew gum (which I'm slowly cutting out due to the high levels of aspartame (cancer causing artificial flavourings and sweeteners).
Not surprisingly, ever since these changes and incorporating my lil excercise (yoga and walking), I have been feeling better and I have already lost weight in my problem zones! And it's happened really fast!
So I advise you all who don't know why you're feeling sick and ill, sluggish and tired...do some research....I love Dr.Oz's Website and shows http://www.doctoroz.com/ ...good stuff not just info the docs tell u but alternate options also for our health woes and just search your issue in the search bar or...google it...(seriously) and TRY IT...it really does work, I'm living proof! :)