My mind and body have never felt better.

You probably know the phrase, “You are what you eat.”

We say this all the time. It reminds us that the food we eat becomes one with our body and powers us like fuel.

Everyone knows that eating empty calories will cause weight gain and fatigue, and everyone knows that meats and veggies are good, and sugar, saturated fats, and processed foods are not.

Everyone knows, but do we actually live like this is true?

Far from it. Most often we don’t eat by what our bodies need for strength or function. Instead we eat by what is convenient or what might taste good or what we are used to.

But when we do this, it is not only our bodies that suffer…

I speak from experience.

I used to overeat regularly. But I did not just have poor eating habits because they were convenient; I was in a dark place emotionally and I did not know how to cope, so I would eat to escape.

On top of the pain I felt inside, I had unnecessary weight on and I was tired, too. But my eating habits were not only affecting the health of my body, they were also affecting the health of my mind.

I was in a fog and I could not think.

The food I was eating was helping me run away from my issues. This kind of response becomes a never-ending loop of avoidance, and the problems don’t ever really go away.

Once I saw the problem, I knew I had to start believing “you are what you eat” and living it out.

So I started making some changes.

I began to notice I had more energy, the fog was lifting, and I felt more in control of myself. My emotions were regulating so my mood improved. And I was getting the best sleep of my life.

I was losing weight, too, but that was only a bonus compared to the rest.

Now after nearly 9 months of eating clean and conscientious – focus, clarity, energy, and good sleep – my mind and body have never felt better.

I feel like I really am actually seeking the “best version” of myself.

But it didn’t happen all at once. One healthy habit at a time and one day at a time, I made tiny adjustments that added up in big ways.

If you want to feel better and are unsure where to start, try asking yourself some key questions about your diet:

• How many colors did you have on your plate in your last meal?

You have heard how important it is to eat your greens, but nature has a whole rainbow of important vitamins and nutrients. The more colorful your meal, the better.

Did your last meal look boring or did it look beautiful? 

Try adding some color to your diet with brilliant foods like broccoli, tomatoes, yellow peppers, spring radishes, cauliflower, eggplants, and avocados.

• How many fruits and vegetables did you eat yesterday?

Probably less than you should have!

That’s okay; one step at a time. If you had less than 5, try adding one fresh vegetable to your diet every day this week.

• What was the expiration date marked on your last lunch?

This is my favorite question. You may wonder what the expiration date has to do with how healthy the food is.

The longer the food is good for, the more processed the food is; this means it has more additives and preservatives that are difficult for your body to break down into usable fuel for you.

Try putting away the prepackaged food and making lunch from scratch. Planning and preparing your meals in advance can save you time and help you choose the foods that your body and your mind love.

What does your body need from you? Take note of how different foods affect your well-being and make the choices that bring your vitality back.

Make today your masterpiece!

Florina