Closet Resolutions
- CROME
- Feb 28, 2016
- 5 min read
For those of you who know me, know that I'm a hardworking individual and rarely take the time to think of myself, let alone actually physically "care" for myself.
For years, I have been accused of this - and I'm very much guilty of putting myself on the back burner in terms of importancy. But, times are changing.
She's a meaat eaaater...
(I cannot believe I found a video similar to the parody unfolding in my head of this song...)
Most likely, many of you have no idea that I haven't eaten meat since December. Or, that I stopped owning or using any refined sugar; instead, using honey and other natural sweeteners, such as fruit.
Recently, over the last month, I have been replacing salt with celery salt. At first, I thought I was just being resourceful until I finally remembered to pick up some salt - but then, it occurred to me that this would be a great transition into working less salt into my diet. It's not easy.
If you love Gordon Ramsay, like I do, you know "seasoning" and "MORE SALT!" is a staple of his and many in the culinary field. I certainly feel like not using salt is definitely a disgrace to the culinary community. Luckily, I'm just a passionate home cook that loves to experiment with fresh ingredients and alternatives, as opposed to everything that is pre-packaged, pre-cut, pre-sorted and filled with preservatives and additives just to make it taste as fresh and beautiful as I'd hoped had I picked from my own garden or prepared myself - but, the underlying health concerns with following such a blinded, naive, and empathetic lifestyle doesn't appeal to me. So, needless to say, worrying about any glares from "master chefs" - is the least of my worries. Especially, when my health outweighs that.
As with most of my excursions into self-improvement, I research. A lot.
To my surprise, I found out my intial temporary fix of replacing my salt intake by celery salt - had several benefits over using table salt. I was pleasantely surprised. This enlightenment verified the reality of actually distancing myself from the salt that I used to partake in every day, without a bat of an eyelash.
You may ask why I gave up meat?
I do not consider myself a vegetarian, but I am a person that has always said I would be a great candidate - as I love eating fresh, raw vegetables. However, after reading several articles surrounding benefits of eating and not eating meat, I chose to use my body as an experiment.
If you think for one second that I don't miss meat - you're wong. Burgers, steak, ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, double dipped roast beef with giardinara, meaty pizza, and the list goes on. However, so far - it seems that along with not eating meat, but also taking supplements every day - as well as no sugar, other than honey and what i do not prepare myself; no salt, other than whatever is in this celery salt I'm using and the food I do not prepare myself...I have felt nothing short of amazing.
The thing with daily life changes, is that I've learned it's easier to do without publicising it to the masses. Whether you publicly shout from rooftops to gain approval, support, or to make sure your friends keep on you to keep at it - I have realized that no matter what you change or give up in life, it's solely dependent on you. If you don't want it enough - your friends and their incredible ability to nag you ruthlessly - is not going to finalize the deal to your commitment and need of wanting to change. This can be applied across the board in several things...smoking, drinking, working out - any change in your every day being. It's because you made the choice.
So, if you consider yourself a close friend and you didn't know? It's because I didn't want to hear the badgering.
"Honey Badger doesn't give a ...."
But, I will say I have seen some changes in my body since giving up meat in the first month - and this was before I began "no salt, no sugar" and "supplements". Maybe it's not related, but all I know is I used to have agonizing pain every month Aunt Flo decided to visit - but, now? Meh.
Along with the no meat, no salt, no sugar scenario....I have also regularly been using coconut oil. If you haven't read or experience the rage of this amazing super food yet - the hype is completely legit.
It can be used, and I can attest to it's uses, in most of these things mentioned:
- skin, hair, nail, & lip moisturizers, scrubs, soaps, (I have made SEVERAL scrubs, but that's another post!)
- dental: brush & rinse; my teeth and gums haven't looked this great in years - add baking soda and coconut oil - and then rinse with coconut oil. (I saw improvements in 1-2 wks.)
- personal hygiene: helps with acne, yeast infections, dry feet, cuticles, etc..,
- flavorful and healthy substitute for butter or oil in dishes, cooking, coffee, tea, etc.. (Trust me. In coffee. YUM!)
- fantastic addition and super healthy for your pets, their food and/or natural treats you make them!
" But, OMG Saturated Fat! I may die from natural satuated fa-.....!! "
Stop. Do you your research.
All this saturated fat you've been told to avoid - is correct. Because, most of it is man-made - which is the BAD kind.
But, coconut oil provides a natural saturated fat, and is filled with medium-chain fatty acids, aka medium-chain triglycerides. Coconut oil ALSO contains lauric acid. These are just a few facts, alone, why coconut oil is gaining so much momentum entering households everywhere over the last few years. Some of the healthiest people on the planet come from areas where coconuts grow abundantly and are consumed very regularly.
If you'd like to read further about the amazing benefits of coconut oil - here's a great article explaining quite a bit - and if you need more? Trust me, there's quite a bit already out there on the web.
And if all that wasn't enough...
I also have recently chose to try and give up my dear old friend....
Alcohol.
I'm nowhere near how I used to be in my years of bartending/service industry - but I really do enjoy my Carmenere... and occassional celebratory scotch. I like to sip.
Granted, It's only been a week since I last had a drink - but of course - this is helping me feel more and more like a superwoman in this transformational experiment I'm undergoing. It may actually be hard to go back to the life I used to live if I'm feeling this great :)
The main reason I felt I should give up alcohol is because I'm having some insulin issues, and a lot of the health choices I have made recently is to try and remediate that.
Wine, beer, alcohol....scotch - they all fancy spiking my insulin levels - and in order to feel this great - I need really watch what I consume.
It's apparent that this year I'm not monkeying around, and this daily discipline will hopefully help me achieve a happy and healthy balance
Hopefully the next time I update my blog - maybe my running shoes will actually be used for running or working out!
Oops! I shouldn't have told you.
Closet resolutions work for me because I already have a lot on my plate, and the last thing I need is someone checking up on me. As long as you're doing good for yourself, on track with YOUR goals, happy and healthy - that's the only thing that matters.
Maybe closet resolutions could work for you too?
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