Eating Under the Palm Tree - K.I.S.S.

A group of ladies began discussing eating healthfully on a budget in a Facebook thread today, and it started me thinking that it might be a good thread for this blog. Are you in?

I am a firm believer that simple eating is the best, though sometimes I stray. SO I was wondering if I could help some others with their eating habits and stay true to mine as well.

It is always a challenge to eat healthfully, you say. Well, do you remember Jack LaLanne? Yes - the guy with the exercise show when our mothers were housewives. Yes - the guy who does something incredible every year on his birthday like pull a boat across a river. Yes - the guy with the juicer (I have that juicer - it's great). In an interview on his 80th birthday, Jack LaLanne said he has never tasted pizza, has not had ice cream or cake or pie on over 50 years ... he and his lovely wife eat fruits and vegetables, meat and other basics. And he is very healthy!

Look to the Bible. In Daniel, we find the origin of what has become popular as the Daniel's Fast. When I first encountered this many (25+) years ago, it was done for spiritual more than physical reasons. It was done for ten days, and one ate only vegetables and drank only water. It was wonderful. I have tried the more "modernized" version and will use the original next time (soon). Look at the directives given to the Israelites regarding what to eat and how to eat it. Mostly consider that they did not eat: potato chips and other "goodies".

In modern times we have The Zone, raw eating, and The Maker's Diet. They are all different, but have many things in common.

So what do the healthiest people eat? or rather HOW do the healthiest people eat?

Everything centers on simplicity. Simple things prepared simply. Keep a food as close to its natural state as possible.

So here is today's challenge: keep your foods this week as close to the natural state as possible. For instance,

• eat an apple not apple pie. If an apple is difficult for you, chop it and microwave it (with a little cinnamon if you wish) and you have fresh applesauce.
• buy fresh green beans and steam them crisp/tender (or only as soft as you need to eat them comfortably)
• eat nuts and seeds as snacks (watch your quantities!) - if those are difficult, buy pure nut butters at a natural market or make your own (these are just ground nuts - nothing added)
• have an egg for breakfast - just friend in a bit of oil or have it hard-boiled
• Cereal? have oatmeal with some fruit and nuts (add a little cinnamon if you wish), or have Shredded Wheat'n'Bran
• eat the fruit rather than drinking the fruit juice
• if you juice, remember to juice the amount of fruit, not the amount of juice (the juice of one orange, not enough oranges to fill a glass) because of the sugar content! and mix vegies with fruit when you juice

Got the idea? Keep it Simple, Sweetie!

Please share your thoughts, your experiences and your suggestions in the comments - let's do this together and learn from one another, okay?