I admit it. I’m a recovering junk food addict. If you would have told me in February when I was on a serious Pop Tart binge that I would be eating lentil vegetable soup while I write this, having had no bread or sugar of any kind today and feel completely satiated and happy after some SOUP with no desire for dessert, I would have told you that you were on crack.
But seriously, you might have noticed the health kick we’ve been on this summer and it started with Kelly and her The Woman Code diet book. Like an Organic Freedom (NFP) with a new idea, I bought the book immediately and then promptly didn’t read it. Then after a couple of months I started to poke around in it and then randomly I felt inspired and decided to do the four day cleanse, mostly because it involved healthy food that I can stomach. And she (the author) must be an Organic Freedom herself as she had a lot of “Vegetables you like,” options so it seemed doable. So here I am two months later, 10 solid pounds lighter and not in pain everyday. Sure it was awesome to be able to fit into my shorts by the end of the summer, but the no back pain? I know I can be a bit dramatic at times, but it’s a friggin’ miracle.
So this week’s PixieTip by our nutritionist guru Barbara Lincoln resonates deeply for me. And the fact that her advice is so similar to The Woman Code book means that these ladies are onto something. And if a lazy*, McDonalds loving, Wonder Bread eating, cake and cookie addicted Organic Freedom (NFP) can do it, then ANYONE and ANY PERSONALITY TYPE can too. So in personality types that means that the Organic Structures (NFJs), Smart Structures (NTJs) and Classics (SJs) can do it once they put it on their To Do list and the Funs (SPs), Organic Freedoms (NFPs), and Smart Freedoms (NTPs) will just do it when the time comes, whenever that is.
Barbara Lincoln, Classic Freedom (ESFJ):
“Practice what you preach but not too loudly”
Everyone always want to know what I eat. My husband and I can’t go out to dinner with friends without someone making excuses for the way they eat. Honestly, I don’t really pay much attention to how many pieces of bread my dinner companions are consuming. I’m more concerned with making sure my husband doesn’t eat more than his half of the dessert we are “sharing.” A couple of weeks ago I devoted my column to making small changes in your life that can have meaningful consequences. Thus, I don’t believe in “dieting” for long term health and weight benefits. I have never done a juice cleanse (successfully) and I have a hard time fasting even for routine blood work. Sometimes, however, people want and need a kick start (i.e. Juice cleanse or fast) to get them started on a new path of healthy eating. Disclaimer, you may hate me after day one, but I believe that anyone can do anything for 5 days, and you may actually find that you don’t need that third cup of coffee or ice cream after dinner.
5 steps to approaching your diet in a new way:
1. Try to stick to one to two cups of coffee or caffeinated tea in the morning. Research shows that any more can make your jittery, irritable or interfere with your body’s natural sleep rhythms.
2. Add a salad to both your midday and evening meal (see recipe below). And I’m not referring to the iceberg garnish and mealy tomato on your hamburger plate. Most adult males and females don’t get the 35/25 grams of fiber that they need each day. Fiber helps to regulate appetite, digestion and elimination. It can help aid weight control too.
3. Try a new fruit every night for dessert instead of a sweet (see #2). It’s also apple and pear season. Visit your local farmer’s market and try a baked apple (see recipe below) for a sweet treat.
4. Drink more water. This goes without saying. Everyone can drink more. Soda, fruit juice and iced coffee don’t count (see #1).
5. Don’t go more than 4-5 hours without eating. Any more than that and your metabolism slows. Research also shows that you approach your next meal ravenous and have a tendency to overeat.
Easy California Salad:
Mix arugula, baby spinach or spring mix with sliced avocado, 1/2 cup cooked quinoa, 1/2 cup golden raisins and
Baked Apple:
Take one extra large Rome apple and core halfway leaving the bottom closed. Add 1 tablespoon maple syrup and cinnamon to taste. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Serve with Greek yogurt.
* Not all Organic Freedoms are lazy, although Classic Structure (SFJ) Kelly often calls her siblings — both Organic Freedoms — alternately lazy and/or incompetent, and we take umbrage at the latter accusation and fully embrace the former. [Kelly: Umm, no, Organic Freedoms are not lazy and incompetent, just my brother and sister are! I say that with love.]
