What’s in your grocery cart?
When “this” all first started happening, I got into a bit of a funk. I knew that to avoid sickness I needed to sleep, so I started sleeping 8-10 hours a night. I skipped my morning workouts. I started to stress eat. But after about two weeks I realized that I needed to get back into as normal a routine as possible. I started back with my morning workouts. I eliminated the stress eating. I returned to healthy eating. And I kept hoping that I would wake up from this nightmare. However at this point, I know that won’t happen. It’s just still so unbelievable. I’m not afraid of the virus. There I said it. What I am afraid of however, is the future.
When you go out into the world on May 1st, May 13th, June 1st or whenever it is, do you really think the virus is going to be gone? Staying inside and flattening the curve only means that the hospitals won’t be overwhelmed, and that the disease will progress more slowly. It doesn’t mean that the virus will be gone. So as people venture out, yes, most likely the numbers will increase (but then again, you can’t trust any of the numbers being reported these days). Do you think a few extra weeks inside will make you safe? Or just delay the possible transmission?
Most people have forgotten they have an immune system during this entire situation. Your immune system is in place to fight off viruses, whether it’s a cold, the flu, or this new virus. A vast vast majority of people are surviving this new illness, because their immune system is doing its job. And yes, some are not surviving, and that is certainly sad, especially if it’s a loved one. And for everyone else, as I have stated from the beginning, that it’s all about strengthening your immune system so when you do get exposed to it, you can handle it better.
A strong immune system works to protect the self from foreign invaders. It happens automatically without you telling the body what to do. It’s like a miracle. And like many other things, how well that immune system works depends on how much you nourish and strengthen it. Living a healthy lifestyle boosts the immune system in many ways, including exercise and consuming immune system boosting foods and supplements.
The foods that we eat impact our health tremendously, so we should really take that seriously! As you head out to the grocery store this week (or order online), please make sure these products are in your grocery cart: Raw Leafy Greens, peppers, beets, carrots, broccoli, asparagus, brussel sprouts, mushrooms (okay, those aren’t in my cart, but they are supposed to be good for you); spinach, apples, grapefruit, pears, grass fed meat, pasture raised poultry, wild caught fish, fresh free-range eggs, organic beans, nuts, and yogurts (coconut yogurt is my new favorite). Those are just some of my suggestions of what you should be eating each day/week.
Foods to avoid include: French fries, processed meats, convenience/instant meals, store-made desserts, artificial sweeteners, fast foods, microwave popcorn, and processed sugars. While those foods fall into the stress eating category and can temporarily make you feel good, they do nothing for long term support.
Nutrition is so key in all of this. So is exercise. And sleep, as I stated at the beginning, if you are fighting something off, then extra sleep is what you need. And lastly, regular adjustments can help you feel better physically, so you can function better & perform better.
Earlier on I stated that I was more afraid of the future. It is truly frightening to see what has already happened in this country, and what will happen. And that I will write about in my next blog. In the meantime, stay safe & smart.
