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How Will You Change The World?

4/17/2016

Sometimes it can seem like the world is too large (and messed up) for one person to ever really make a difference. War, famine, poverty, natural disasters - how are we really supposed to change anything - and should we even try?

The media bombards us with more bad news daily, until we start to feel like we don't even want to hear about the world's problems anymore - it's all too much to deal with.

But what if things really aren't as bad as we think? What if, instead of getting worse, going downhill, going "to hell in a handbasket," things are actually getting better? And what if it's up to each one of us, as individuals, innovators, thinkers, and doers, to make a difference each and every day, that adds up to a new and better world in the long run?

This is the subject of a really interesting book I'm currently reading, called "Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think."

While there are many parts of the book that I don't agree with (particularly on the topics of food and medicine, where the book seems to be leading in the direction of more automation, less personal attention, and more artificial foods made in a lab - ummm...yuck), there is no denying that a lot of progress is being made in a number of areas which can potentially solve many of the world's problems.

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The Only 2 Rules for Healthy Eating You Will Ever Need

3/27/2016

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It's a jungle out there....

When it comes to food and nutrition, that is.

With thousands of different fad diets, diet books, and nutritional guidelines, it can seem nearly impossible to figure out what you are really supposed to eat for good health.

Low-fat, low-carb, gluten-free, sugar-free, fat-free, Vegan, Paleo, organic, grass-fed, free-range - and that's just what's on the label!

Not to mention things like eating alkaline foods vs. acidic, whole foods vs. processed, or whether or not you should avoid GMO's. Some diet books even advocate eating certain combinations of food together - or not.... For example, some authors say you should only eat carbs with fat and protein, and others say you should never eat these things together!

Is it any wonder that we are becoming a nation that is completely neurotic about food?

Well, I'm here today to clear up all this confusion - once and for all. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you may have heard my two rules for healthy eating before, but I don't think I've ever explained them fully, so today I'm going to do just that. Since I have touched on many related topics before, I will provide links below for further reading on those topics if you are interested.

Firstly, let me just say that I am not discounting any of the approaches mentioned above. I am more and more aware that everyone processes food differently, and what works for one person may not work for another. I know people who have been unhappy, miserable, and sick on a Vegan diet, and others who seem to do quite fine with it. Some people can't tolerate gluten, and others don't seem bothered by it. And so on.

However, I firmly believe that everyone can benefit from following the 2 simple rules for healthy eating that I have listed below. No matter what other dietary preferences or needs you may have, incorporating these 2 rules into your eating habits will bring you better health and well-being in the long run.

But this post is especially for those who are just confused and fed up with all of the conflicting information out there about what is healthy when it comes to food. If this is you, I give you permission to go ahead and throw out all your diet books! Don't pay any mind to the media attention to whatever fad diet comes along next. Don't worry about whether you should be eating more of this or less of that. Instead, just commit to eating by these 2 simple rules. Doing so will undoubtedly benefit your health in more ways than you can imagine.

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2015 Resolutions - Revisited

1/3/2016

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Happy New Year! Here we are on the brink of another exciting adventure - one called 2016!

I'm not sure why, but the New Year always used to make me sad when I was younger.... Maybe I was missing the past, rather than looking forward to the future?

Whatever the reason, in recent years, my outlook has changed dramatically, and I now find myself relishing the "blank slate" of a new year stretching out before me. This year, for some reason, I find myself extra excited! Maybe it's just the fact that the past couple of years have been so eventful, but I am greatly anticipating all that 2016 has in store for me, and I hope that you are as well!

With the start of the new year comes those inevitable New Year's Resolutions which so many of us make (and so often fail to keep). Last year, I shared a few of mine, as well as some tips for staying on track with yours. Recalling this, I thought it would be fun to revisit my resolutions for 2015, and see how well I fared!

Let's take a look...

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Does Your Life Set An Example?

12/20/2015

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It has been a while since I've done a spiritual or religion-related post, and I figured, hey, 'tis the season! In church last week, they were talking about the different kinds of examples set by various characters in one of Jesus' parables, and it got me thinking about the examples we all set for others through the way that we live.

Like it or not, those around us - especially children, but also others in our circle of influence - are impacted by our daily decisions in various ways. From the way we eat, to the cars we drive and where we spend our money, to the actions we take to reduce our environmental impact, we are setting an example of the kind of life we think is the right one - or at least, that is what those around us assume.

It is up to each of us to be aware of just what kind of example we are setting, and make conscious choices that lead to a life worthy of being emulated.

Sound like a tall order? It's really not. In fact, it's something that we all can - and should - aspire to. Here's how.

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My 2015 Gratitude List (What Are You Thankful For?)

11/22/2015

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I've written before about the importance of gratitude for happiness and well-being - and even health. Indeed, many modern thinkers agree that gratitude is the key to abundance. Even Jesus said thanks before receiving!

As we near the end of the year, the Thanksgiving holiday gives us the perfect opportunity to look back over the past year and reflect on the things we are thankful for. This year has had its share of challenges, but I still appreciate all of the wonderful blessings I have received, and in the spirit of the season, here are 4 things I'm grateful for in 2015!

Please feel free to share your own "thanks-giving" below as well - we'd love to hear what you're thankful for this year!

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Health Is Your Natural State

8/23/2015

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Today I wanted to clear up something that has been bugging me for some time. It's perhaps a touchy subject in some ways, so I will do my best to be clear that I'm not pointing fingers at anyone.

Rather, I am attempting to point out a common error in thinking, which is leading our country down a dangerous path when it comes to the topic of health and disease. Luckily, the choice is up to you....

Which path will you choose?

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Everything Is Awesome

3/8/2015

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I'm not sure if it's the hint of spring in the air this week, or the fact that we switched to Daylight Savings Time today, but the past few days I keep going to sleep and waking up with that Lego movie song in my mind.... Although the ground is still frozen (and mostly covered with snow), that won't last long, as we are expecting a week near 50 degrees for the first time in... I don't remember how long! While it's still too early to get out and start working on the new garden, at least there is hope in the air. And I have been in a much more positive frame of mind as a result - or perhaps just because lately I've been counting my blessings and realizing just how many there are....

In late winter sometimes it's easy to forget to be grateful, but I am reminded just how important it is to be grateful for all of the wonderful things we are given. I lately ran across an email about this really fun and amazing exercise called "100 Gratitudes," and thought I would share it with you today, as gratitude is one of the most powerful positive forces in the universe, and it's one that can literally change your state of mind for the better in an instant.

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Revisiting Satisfaction: Where Christianity Gets It Wrong

2/8/2015

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As with many of my posts, this one was inspired by something I heard in passing, and have been thinking about lately. Last Christmas, I wrote a post about living a rich and satisfying life. Part of that life for me, for the past 10+ years, has been being involved with my church, and learning to know God through Christianity. But although I do consider myself a Christian, there are still parts of the typical Christian teachings that just don't sit right with me.

One great example is the focus on the afterlife, especially to the exclusion of life here on earth. While I understand the concept, and can appreciate the value of not getting too caught up in the material things of this world, on the other hand I feel that this can be a really dangerous way of thinking...

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3 Tips for Healthy & Happy Eating This Holiday Season

12/21/2014

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'Tis the season for holiday feasting, and visions of this week's Christmas dinner may be already dancing in your head. Unfortunately, for many people, along with the visions most likely comes the guilt. After all, we all "know" that this is the time of year when it is hardest to stick to our most well-intentioned goals for health and fitness. This time of year is when even hard-core dieters fall off the wagon, and the most passionate fitness enthusiasts find themselves putting on a few pounds. (Consequently, January is the time of year when all of those resolutions are resolutely made all over again - with the determination that, this year, we will actually stick to them.)

After all, between Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year's Eve - not to mention the recently departed Thanksgiving turkey - this is probably the month when the largest amount of food is consumed per capita. And much of this food is of the richer variety. Cookies, candies, pies, and other sugary treats show up everywhere from holiday parties, to the office cafeteria, to the gifts piled under the tree. Turkey, duck, ham, and other rich meats grace our dining room tables, and side dishes packed with potatoes, yams, pasta, cream, butter, cheese, and other "guilty pleasures" are par for the course. Is it any wonder that we leave the holidays not quite fitting into last year's clothes?

Well, I'm here to tell you to stop feeling guilty! The holidays come around once a year, and it is perfectly fine to enjoy them. There is no need to put a damper on your enjoyment by chastising yourself for what you're eating - especially if you follow these three tips for delicious, healthy eating this holiday season.

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Giving Thanks For The Blessings Of 2014

11/23/2014

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This week, in honor of the season, I thought I'd get a little personal and share some of the things I am thankful for this year! After all, those who have studied success, spirituality, or well-being know that gratitude is one of the most powerful forces for good in the world, with many amazing benefits for those who practice it.

From simple peace of mind and a positive outlook, to humility, improved relationships, and possibly even the ability to attract more good things into your life, gratitude can improve your life in a multitude of ways. And people have been realizing these benefits for centuries; the power of gratitude is explored in works as old as the Bible, all the way up to modern best-sellers such as Think & Grow Rich, The Attractor Factor, and many more.

I think it's just wonderful that we have a holiday devoted to it!

It's been an amazing year for me, and here are just a few of the things I'm thankful for. Please also feel free to share your own stories of gratitude with us in the comments section below!

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