Health is our life... why don't we care about it!

People these days put so much time and energy into things that really don’t matter. There is so much emphasis on monetary items, yet so little on growing ourselves as humans and looking after our bodies. While it is fun to have fancy things or work really hard to save to buy something you want, it’s also important to realise that there is not much point having all of these things if our quality of life is mediocre due to the fact that we have given up or stopped caring about our health.

Our health is our life. It is what determines the quality of life that we live. I can’t stand it when I hear people say - “I will eat and do what I like because if I die at least I will die happy”. Really? How can you live a happy life with high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and obesity? 

Some people live their life for so long on different medications to control certain illnesses/ symptoms that they start to believe that is just how it is. They think that medication for the rest of their lives is to be expected. The diseases that are caused by a bad diet can also be reversed by a good one. They just don’t seem to care enough about themselves to make this change.

The western world is a funny place. We are rich in technology, money and scientific breakthroughs yet poor in health, well-being and nutrition.

We know so much about the chemical breakdown of foods yet still choose foods that have low-no nutrient levels. In Australia, we have access to the most spectacular foods, fresh, beautiful healthy foods, yet fast food and processed foods take place as the norm.

We are absolutely spoilt for choice yet we never know what to cook or have no time to cook and people claim they can’t cook - enter – ‘over marketed processed 1 minute and they’re ready’ foods which take over.  When I go to the supermarket and look in people’s trolleys (this is normal right? J) I feel sick for our world that this is what our generation are eating. Our great grandparents would be ashamed. Meals that come in a box that take a minute to microwave – ARE NOT MEALS!

People have become so lazy. I know it may take half an hour to wash, chop and cook ingredients to turn them into a meal but how much better is the feeling of making something fresh rather than taking it out of a box and zapping out any remaining nutrients in the microwave? 

It is hard sometimes to find time to make meals, especially if you have a family but this is where preparation comes in. I work full time and have a family (one little angel and a husband – that sometimes acts like a second child ;-) ) and I always want my family to feel good and healthy and to do this I need to be organised. I make list each weekend of what I will be cooking for the week so I know what to buy when I do my shopping. Then if I need to I spend my Sunday afternoon getting things ready for the week, like healthy snacks for my son to take to school or a big vegetable bake or soup that we can heat up if we don’t have time to cook.
                      

I think some people are scared to be healthy because they think if they make the change then they have to be perfect all of the time. Being healthy isn’t about that, it just means you are making a conscious decision to make your health a priority. You actually need to care about yourself (and your family if you have one) enough to actually give a crap about what you are feeding your body. I love a chip or ten here and there, some chocolate or ice-cream, I even love burgers! – Especially my hubby’s homemade specialties but these are treats and not my every day diet so it is ok to indulge occasionally and not feel bad about it. If you fill your plate with fresh wholesome fruits and veggies, organic grass fed meats, healthy grains like quinoa, brown rice or millet most days then the occasional slice of pizza or burger isn’t going to hurt you! 

Just love yourself enough to care about what you eat.

Everything in moderation, 80/20 (80% good, 20% bad) is the way I like to enjoy food. It is impossible to be perfect all the time so I try for 80% of the time and the other 20% I don’t really worry about it.

Find a way to move your body that you love.. Running, swimming, yoga and go do it! Do it as much as you can.

I am always trying new recipes to help you and myself to find easy, tasty and healthy meals. If you have any you would like to share please add in the comments below or on bare nourisment's facebook page :)

That is my rant over...

Bee xx

Images sourced from
http://livinginthesun.info/portugal-vs-england-fruit-and-vegetables/
http://www.sustainababy.com.au/blog/June-2010/What-s-In-Your-Shopping-Trolley-