Of all the things to write about -- why choose nutrition? I have so many hobbies, from photography and scrapbooking, to pets and gardening, why does food get the spotlight?
I've always been into cooking and eating healthy, but early in the winter of 2010, I decided to try using food as medicine.
After taking prescription medications for rheumatoid arthritis for several months, I quit. My hair was thinning and falling out in clumps, I was nauseated daily, I was gaining weight quickly and I felt horrible. I started researching more about autoimmune diseases, and from books to web articles and television interviews, everyone spoke about changing their diets and feeling better.
As a "healthy" vegetarian, I thought I was eating correctly. Vegetables filled my dinner plate, I ate lots of legumes and nut butters for protein and snacked on fruits. But, I also had a freezer full of vegetarian soy burgers, boxed brownie mixes lined the cupboard shelves and my go-to snack was Dorito's covered in melted cheddar cheese.
I was filling up on sugar and sodium-laden processed foods that lacked much nutrition. So, one day I decided to start limiting those foods from my diet. If it comes in a can, box or instructions for cooking in the microwave, I probably don't eat it.
Whole Foods Living is my way of exploring, learning and educating people about nutrition. I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist. I'm just a 30-something gal trying to feel good without popping pills. Food is medicine. Since I've been eating healthier, my body actually punishes me when I eat junk food. Sugary candy makes me dizzy. Artificial dyes make me run to the restroom.
For me, food goes way beyond curbing hunger. Food makes me feel sick, or healthy.
So, why do you blog? What's your topic, and why are you passionate about it? For me, I blog to keep myself accountable. Plus, I learn lots of new tasty ways to eat healthy, thanks to comments from faithful readers like you! Thank you!
Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!
Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living
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| Oatmeal and fruit. Photo courtesy Morguefile.com |
I've always been into cooking and eating healthy, but early in the winter of 2010, I decided to try using food as medicine.
After taking prescription medications for rheumatoid arthritis for several months, I quit. My hair was thinning and falling out in clumps, I was nauseated daily, I was gaining weight quickly and I felt horrible. I started researching more about autoimmune diseases, and from books to web articles and television interviews, everyone spoke about changing their diets and feeling better.
As a "healthy" vegetarian, I thought I was eating correctly. Vegetables filled my dinner plate, I ate lots of legumes and nut butters for protein and snacked on fruits. But, I also had a freezer full of vegetarian soy burgers, boxed brownie mixes lined the cupboard shelves and my go-to snack was Dorito's covered in melted cheddar cheese.
I was filling up on sugar and sodium-laden processed foods that lacked much nutrition. So, one day I decided to start limiting those foods from my diet. If it comes in a can, box or instructions for cooking in the microwave, I probably don't eat it.
Whole Foods Living is my way of exploring, learning and educating people about nutrition. I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist. I'm just a 30-something gal trying to feel good without popping pills. Food is medicine. Since I've been eating healthier, my body actually punishes me when I eat junk food. Sugary candy makes me dizzy. Artificial dyes make me run to the restroom.
For me, food goes way beyond curbing hunger. Food makes me feel sick, or healthy.
So, why do you blog? What's your topic, and why are you passionate about it? For me, I blog to keep myself accountable. Plus, I learn lots of new tasty ways to eat healthy, thanks to comments from faithful readers like you! Thank you!
Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!
Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living
###
I agree about our food. My helthy eating habits have kept me vital into my seventies. I could probably eat better--less fowl and more beans--, but my wonderful husband plans the meals and cooks for me. Right now a good relationship is more important than making waves. With my guidance, he cooks delicious food and it's his only hobby. How could I refuse to eat the product of his labor?
ReplyDeletehttp://francene-wordstitcher.blogspot.com
How wonderful that your husband loves to cook! Maybe surprise him with a (healthy!) cookbook for a birthday or holiday? I'm sure he'd love to learn some new recipes! ~ Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/
DeleteI think to give best suggestion about nutrition, is can be main reason behind this.
ReplyDeleteFor more information about nutrition, talk with a dietician or your family doctor! Thanks for stopping by! ~Angela
DeletePeople makes blog about nutrition just because to give suggestion about nutrition. This notes is been really impressive which have very good informative points. Buy Facebook Likes
ReplyDeleteHair thinning; nausea...you poor thing!
ReplyDeleteI really don't have a particular theme for my blog. It's just an outlet for me- something that's mine that I can focus on that gives me pleasure.
Hi Jen! I'm doing much better now! I still have RA symptoms, but they have lessened quite a bit since I've lost weight, overhauled my diet and started execising regularly. :) I enjoy your blog! If I didn't write fulltime, I think I'd also have a blog just to record my daily thoughts and for pleasure. But, I already incorporate so many life experiences into my paid writing and blogging, that I'd be writing the same things twice! LOL! ~Angela
DeleteBecause I eat clean, my body will punish me when I don't. (Like you said happens to you.) I'm always shocked at what people put into their bodies. For example, people who drink 10 cans of diet soda a day, or people who live on fast foods - like McDonalds or Burger King. I just don't understand that. Is everything I eat organic? No. But most of it is, and most of what I put into my body is healthy. I don't treat my body like a garbage dump.
ReplyDeleteDitto! I wish I could afford all organic. I figure I'm still being healthy by choosing fresh produce over processed foods! And, from my experience, if I feed my body crap, I feel like crap. So, why eat crap?! :) ~ Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/
DeleteSo true. I feel much better when I stay away from processed foods. Nature made food perfect. Why do we always feel the need to change that?
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Unfortunately it takes time to prepare fresh foods, and people are so busy these days! I often make up batches of salads, soups, casseroles, etc. on Sunday and eat on them throughout the week. It's really not *that* hard to eat healthy! :) ~ Angela
DeleteHi Angela! I'm trying to eat healthier because I want to detox my body and lose weight.
ReplyDeleteMy blog is a writing blog where I like to share about anything to do with writing. I host authors/illustrators on my blog, do interviews, book reviews, share links, stuff like that.
Have an awesome day!
Susanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER
Hi Susanne! Thanks for stopping by! A healthy diet will help you naturally lose weight. When I started being healthier, I also incorporated small amounts of exercise. By small, I mean 10 minutes a day....really! I started to lose weight with such a small amount of physical activity. Every step counts! Good luck on attaining your health goals! http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/
DeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy! :)
DeleteBecause I work from home and live a relatively isolated life, I blog to let people get to know who I am.
ReplyDeleteDo you know about the blog "My New Roots"? She also writes about healthy eating and has great recipes.
Hi Joy! I have not heard of that blog, but will have to check it out! Thanks for the tip!
DeleteThat's impressive Angela...that you are feeling so much better with food for your RA than you were with the medication. I know that it's true, and I also know that it takes discipline. *applauding you*!
ReplyDeleteMy blog is a mish mash, but mostly focused on nurturing our spirits and personal growth. I do it because I am passionate about it, plus it often helps me to keep myself grounded and positive to write about it for others. So, it's a win win!
I am glad that I came across your blog here through the challenge, because it is inspiring me to get myself in gear to do better nutritionally. As a person with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and arthritis I know that I could really be helping myself out because I've experimented in the past. Looks like it's getting to be time to live it rather than just experimenting!
Hi Tracy! You know, if a year ago someone would have told me diet would totally change the way I feel, I would have laughed. I have a horrible autoimmune illness (or two or three by now...) -- how could food help? I needed medicine! Well... I'm proof that a diet overhaul, daily exercise (nothing too crazy! Yoga, walking the dogs, etc.) and keeping a positive outlook can make a person healthier!! Do what I did and start small. Start reaching for fresh fruit instead of a can, use a fresh slice of tomato in lieu of catsup, trade honey for sugar, eat a handful of nuts instead of chips, etc. Every step counts! Good luck and stay in touch! :) ~ Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/
DeleteWhy do I blog? Well, prior to this challenge, I was a bad, bad blogger. If I was lucky, I'd get maybe one blog up a month. I put up a blog and a website and opened a twitter account because as a nonfiction writer, I have to have a "platform." As you know, my blog is about death, which is a hard sell in the book world, as well as in the real world. It's the big pink elephant wearing a tutu in the room.
ReplyDeleteI like your blog because after watching "Forks over Knives," nutrition and its importance really hit home with me. I need recipes!
Hello! I have to be honest -- when I visit your blog I sometimes feel uneasy. But, once I start reading, and thinking through things, the topics aren't as "scary" as initially perceived.
DeleteYou do a great job demystifying certain topics and giving readers something to think about. You have truly found your niche. And, since the topic of death is uncomfortable for many people, you can definitely make this your area of expertise and run with it. Keep up the great work! ~Angela
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ReplyDeleteI love this post! I have been thinking on health and I am a firm believer that nutrients are the most important thing we can do to be healthy. Although I struggle because I really LOVE sweets. Nothing like a large ice cold McDonald's Coke. Being aware I think is the first thing to setting goals for yourself.
ReplyDeleteAs for blogging, I don't have a theme right now. Just odds and ends of stuff. However, I am thinking of starting a new one on health matters. I don't know why but it came to me this morning. I need to lose weight, I need to get a handle on this fibromyalgia and I need to eat healthier. So I may take the plunge one of these days and start one. I love following your blog! Keep it up.
~Kim~
Hi Kim! Thanks for dropping by. Like you, I'm addicted to sweets! But, I have been slowly re-training my taste buds. I've been substituting honey and stevia for sugar and eating fresh fruits for their natural sugars. Sometimes a bowl of strawberries or fresh pineapple is all it takes now. And,yes, they still contain sugar, but they also have vitamins so I figure it's ok! Good luck with your new blogging venture and meeting your healthy goals! Stop by and post a link when you get things up and running!! ~Angela
ReplyDeleteHaving healthy diet planning make sure we are getting valuable nutrients that our body need to stay healthy..
ReplyDeletevery nice suggestion has given on nutrition..Thanks for sharing